GM's Ultra Cruise will use radar, camera, and lidar to enable hands-free driving

General Motors says its next-generation Ultra Cruise driver-assist system will combine lidar with cameras and both short- and long-range radar to enable hands-free driving across “95 percent” of maneuvers. GM’s first major update since unveiling Ultra Cruise in late 2021 details the sensor layout, plus a new onboard computer to process inputs, including support for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride Platform. GM’s diagrams place lidar inside the vehicle behind the windshield and under the rearview mirror. Cameras sit on side mirrors, short-range radar in the grille and rear bumper corners, and long-range radar under the hood ornament and taillights. Chief engineer Jason Ditman also said Ultra Cruise would work on nearly every paved road in the U.S. and Canada.