While self-driving and
autonomous vehicles are still
being developed, much of
the technology to drive them
is already here.
Systems that combine
automatic steering
and adaptive cruise control
can make driving easier,
especially in stop
and go traffic.
But to be clear, these
are not safety systems.
It's important for consumers to
know which ones perform well,
and the safest way to use them.
Consumer Reports looked
at four of these systems.
Tesla's Autopilot, Volvo's
Pilot Assist, Nissan's ProPILOT
Assist, and Cadillac's
Super Cruise.
We evaluated them on
our auto test track,
and on public highways.
Testers drove the
cars multiple times,
both as a leading and
following vehicle,
and we focused on five important
aspects of each system.
First, how well the system
performed the primary functions
of maintaining speed and
steering the car in its lane.
Second, whether the
system was easy to use
and gave the driver
clear feedback
on the system's status.
Third, whether the systems
could only be activated in safe
conditions, and how effectively
did they alert the drivers
to not use the technology
when they shouldn't?
Fourth, how the system
ensures the driver
is still paying
attention to the road,
and ready to take over
if there is a problem.
And fifth, how the
technology reacts
if it detects that the
driver is no longer providing
the appropriate feedback.
So how did each system perform?
Let's start at the
bottom of the list.
Volvo's Pilot Assist proved
to be the least capable system
in our testing,
struggling to keep
the car in the proper lane.
We also found the system
complicated to engage.
And if Pilot Assist receives no
input from the driver applying
pressure to the steering wheel,
it turns off the whole system
completely, and that
could be a real problem
the driver is incapacitated.
For example, if there
a medical emergency.
In response to questions
from Consumer Reports,
Volvo said there's little
chance that a driver would
become completely incapacitated,
saying it's a small risk.
At number three on our list is
Nissan's ProPILOT Assist Suite.
One highlight with the system
is when ProPILOT Assist stops
receiving feedback
from the driver,
it does a good job of trying to
keep the driver safe by tapping
the brakes a number of times
to get the driver's attention
before bringing the car to
a complete stop in its lane.
Number two is Tesla's
Autopilot system.
It's simple to
engage with a stock,
and the system displays lots of
information about its operation
to the driver.
It also excelled in keeping
the car centered in its lane
and maintaining its speed and
distance to others on the road.
However, the system
works so well,
that it increases
the driver's chance
to check out and get
distracted behind the wheel.
An occasional pull or resting
a hand on the steering wheel
is all that's needed to
keep autopilot functioning,
but that's not a sufficient
way to make sure the driver is
paying attention.
Number one, Cadillac's
Super Cruise,
for providing the best balance
of capability and safeguards.
It stands out for
its use of cameras
and sophisticated
eye-tracking technology
to confirm the driver is
looking towards the road ahead.
If Super Cruise senses
your eyes are off the road,
it alerts the driver
to look forward.
We also like that
Super Cruise limits
where it can be turned on
to only divided highways.
This means it can't be used
on back roads, or other places
where these systems are
less likely to work safely.
We did find that Super
Cruise was a little difficult
to engage, as it
requires the driver
to be precisely in the middle of
the lane to turn on the system.
But this is a minor annoyance
to an otherwise excellent
implementation of
this technology.
For its part, Cadillac
says it will continue
to update the system as needed.
For more on
self-driving technology,
check out consumerreports.org.
