Super Duper Cruise: Buick Unveils New Urban Autopilot | Carscoops

      The upcoming Electra L7 will feature urban navigation on autopilot, thanks to a new autonomous driving system called Xiao Yao Zhi Xing.

      22 hours ago

      by Michael Gauthier

      Buick has unveiled a new autonomous driving system that enables urban navigation while on autopilot. This system is designed to adeptly manage cut-ins, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and lane changes effortlessly.

      This advanced system will be incorporated into the Electra L7, which recently had its luxurious interior revealed.

      Buick’s North American lineup has seen significant updates, with new models like the Enclave and Envista, alongside refreshed versions of the Envision and Encore GX. However, the brand's most impressive offerings are still in China.

      This trend continues as the company introduced its new Xiao Yao Zhi Xing autonomous driving system at the Chengdu Auto Show, developed in partnership with Momenta. It resembles Super Duper Cruise, enabling urban navigation on autopilot.

      Although Buick shared limited details, they mentioned that the system will facilitate “seamless navigation through city roads, addressing situations such as cut-ins, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and lane changes.” Additionally, when nearing toll booths, the system can identify gates and maintain operation even in the absence of lane markings.

      This technology appears to be significantly more advanced than Super Cruise, which is largely restricted to highways. Momenta stated that their R6 Flywheel Big Model powers the system, leveraging insights from millions of kilometers of real-world data. It also seems to utilize a combination of cameras along with LiDAR and millimeter-wave radar sensors.

      The Xiao Yao Zhi Xing autonomous driving system will be available on the Electra L7, which will also feature the industry's first non-stop parking assist system. Buick indicated that this system will detect available parking spots in real-time, automatically parking the vehicle without requiring the driver to stop or activate the process manually.

      Electra L7 Interior Unveiled

      Speaking of the Electra L7, the model is set to debut officially in September. In the lead-up, Buick has showcased its sleek and high-tech interior.

      The cabin is elegantly designed with two-tone upholstery and a continuous strip of light wood trim. It also features stylish speaker grilles, a slim full-width air vent, and a floating center console complete with a wireless smartphone charger.

      While the premium elements are appreciated, screens are prominent throughout the interior. Drivers will encounter a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch infotainment system with split-screen functionality. These are complemented by a 50-inch panoramic augmented reality heads-up display.

      Additional highlights include an ambient lighting system, a voice assistant powered by AI, and a new steering wheel designed with four-way buttons for a more intuitive experience. Buick also introduced a Sentinel Mode, which uses cameras and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings.