Ultra Cruise Collaboration Allows for Safer Hands-Free Driving
DETROIT – In January, General Motors announced that its “next-generation hands-free driver assist system,” Ultra Cruise, will be the first to take on Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Ride Platform.
The new technology will feature 5-nonmeter Snapdragon SA8540P SoC and SA9000P artificial intelligence accelerator, and will be available in 2023 vehicles like the fully electric Cadillac CELESTIQ.
The Snapdragon Ride Platform includes high performance sensor interfaces, memory and bandwidth.
Ken Morris, GM vice president of electric, autonomous and fuel cell vehicle programs, said the capability of the Ultra Cruise and Snapdragon Ride Platform combination is extraordinary.
“Despite its relatively small size, Ultra Cruise’s compute will have the processing capability of several hundred personal computers,” said Morris. “It will take qualities that have distinguished GM’s advanced driver assist systems since 2017 to the next level with door-to-door hands-free driving.”
The Ultra Cruise technology will help power GM’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems software and features. These features include perception, planning, localization and mapping.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. senior vice president and GM, automotive, Nakul Duggal, said the company is very proud to collaborate with GM with one of the industries first use of the Snapdragon Ride SoCs in an automated driving system.
“Ultra Cruise powered by Snapdragon Ride on Cadillac vehicles will be an experiential and technological leap forward for the industry,” he said.
Along with the safety technology of the Snapdragon Ride SoCs, and Infineon Aurix TC397 processer is included for system safety integrity. The processer is categorized ASIL-D, the highest Automotive Safety Integrity Level.
The technology will have capability to evolve in Ultra Cruise’s compute by leveraging Snapdragon Ride’s SoCs performance and high-speed interfaces for future expansion. Additionally, the Ultifi software platform and GM’s Vehicle Intelligence Platform electrical architecture, will allow for software updates.
Source: General Motors
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
