Harrison Thorp 6:40 a.m.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 6:45 am
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DOVER - Most everyone has seen the TV commercial featuring Queen's "We Will Rock You" in advertisements touting GMC's Sierra pickup truck, which in 2022 will offer a Super Cruise system that allows drivers to head down the highway hands free.
But did you know it was available here in New Hampshire ... now?
The advanced technology was introduced in October and is also available on Chevrolet's High Country Silverado, which can be ordered today for that someone special's Christmas gift for about $70,000, said Dover Chevrolet Sales Manager Shawn Turner on Tuesday.
"We just took our first order last Thursday," said Turner adding it should arrive at the dealership in the next few months.
Super Cruise utilizes a driver attention system and precision LiDAR map data in addition to real-time cameras, sensors and GPS, according to industry writers. The driver attention system uses a small camera located on the top of the steering column and works with infrared lights to determine where the driver is looking whenever Super Cruise is in operation. If the driver attention system detects the driver has turned their gaze away from the road ahead for too long, the steering wheel light bar will prompt the driver to return their attention to the road.
The LiDAR system is an extra self-driving tool that uses sound waves to detect light and objects that could pose threats to the vehicle, Turner said.
The Super Cruise system is usable on 200,000 miles of highway in the United States and Canada, but Turner said it won't work on country roads, because some of the technology uses cameras that use painted lines to maintain lane control.
"It won't work on country roads say in Lebanon (Maine), but it will work say on Route 202," Turner added.
He said inventory is scarce and they're taking "tons of orders," so if anyone wants one they should come to the dealership and start the ordering process. Delivery takes about three months, he said.
While Super Cruise is here now, purely self-driving or driver-less cars like Tesla are still in development and testing.
Meanwhile, Rochester Police said this week that folks may be able to drive "hands free" but if they're in the driver's seat and on the phone, they'll still get a ticket.
"As far as hands free for self driving cars, we would enforce all motor vehicle and traffic laws as they are currently written, making no distinction between self driving and human operated," Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said on Monday.
To watch the GMC Sierra commercial featuring Queen's "We Will Rock You" click here.