LiDAR positioned behind the windshield will provide a multifaceted view of the scene and do better in terms of perceiving objects and road features like cars and lane markings respectively. When blended with the other sensors, LiDAR should optimize the technology’s overall performance even in unfavorable weather conditions. According to GM’s Ultra Cruise chief engineer — Jason Ditman — “A deep knowledge of what Ultra Cruise is capable of, along with the detailed picture provided by its sensors, will help us (GM) understand when Ultra Cruise can be engaged and when to hand control back to the driver.”

While Ultra Cruise promises an even wider range of features, its impending arrival raises concerns about how drivers treat these assisted systems. Last year, a study found that many GM and Tesla drivers treat their vehicles as fully autonomous, a habit that not only misrepresents the systems’ true abilities, but reflects a lack of understanding of how the tech works. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that GM has received positive reviews for Super Cruise, with Consumer Reviews ranking it ahead of Tesla’s Autopilot in terms of competence.