So, I know early on there was a lot of discussion about whether adaptive cruise could or could not be fitted to the Bolt (search for 'blended brakes'). Assuming they CAN offer this in the future, is anyone holding out for a future version with Adaptive Cruise? Obviously, we saw it appear on the Volt a short 6 months after its introduction (although for the Bolt it seems like a September 2017 introduction is more likely).
Adaptive Cruise Control?
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I have no doubt that it will be offered on some future model, but I'm a little skeptical that it will be the 2018 one. It seems more likely to me that it would be with a next generation model where they'll redesigning the car - that would make it easier to justify the engineering cost of including new sensors, wiring harnesses and vehicle control capabilities.
Of course it's possible that the current model was designed in such a way that adding the capability in a model year refresh wouldn't be that difficult, but Josh Tavel's comment about the need for blended braking makes me suspect that's not the case.
None of us has any real clue about when some sort of autonomous capability may debut, but of course it's a given that such capability would include ACC.
Of course it's possible that the current model was designed in such a way that adding the capability in a model year refresh wouldn't be that difficult, but Josh Tavel's comment about the need for blended braking makes me suspect that's not the case.
None of us has any real clue about when some sort of autonomous capability may debut, but of course it's a given that such capability would include ACC.
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Well ACC is on the Gen II Volt. And the Bolt EV uses the exact same braking system (with different programming implementation when driving in "L") as the Gen II Volt. So yes ACC should easily be possible in the Bolt EV.
But as others have stated GM might be skipping ACC to implement a more supercruise like solution to the Bolt EV.
But as others have stated GM might be skipping ACC to implement a more supercruise like solution to the Bolt EV.
My best guess is we won't see a Gen1 Bolt EV with ACC/Supercruise/autonomous available for private ownership...All we can do is speculate...
ACC: As Sean pointed out, the Lead Josh said "we didn't WANT do that <blended breaks>" and there was a story that stated that GM engineers anticipated that 70% of Bolt EV owners will drive in L for the one pedal driving experience...Therefore I believe the "plan" was decided to omit it but who knows, maybe if enough complain they'll change it...
Supercruise: GM calls the Bolt EV an Urban car, we could argue that its more likely a suburban car since a lot of Urban homes are in complex's where installing a home charger is expensive if not impossible...Every media release that mentions Supercruise states its predominately for the highway use and is extremely limited for stop and go traffic...For an urban vehicle, a city has so many more obstacles...GM was suppose to debut it on the CT6, a big luxurious highway cruiser, so Bolt seems like the exact opposite of that and I see supercruise trickling down the Caddy line prior to finding its way to a Chevy model...
Autonomous...GM just acquired Cruise Automation for $1B this past March...Every autonomous Bolt EV we've seen has large equipment arrays which are roof mounted, I wouldn't even think about GM having production ready autonomous vehicles available for private ownership until we see some GM autonomous vehicles without roof arrays...And like supercruise the upmarket Caddy may get it before Chevy...
I believe the first GM autonomous vehicles (without drivers) we'll see will be for car/riding sharing services and maybe those will continue to use expensive roof mounted equipment array...
ACC: As Sean pointed out, the Lead Josh said "we didn't WANT do that <blended breaks>" and there was a story that stated that GM engineers anticipated that 70% of Bolt EV owners will drive in L for the one pedal driving experience...Therefore I believe the "plan" was decided to omit it but who knows, maybe if enough complain they'll change it...
Supercruise: GM calls the Bolt EV an Urban car, we could argue that its more likely a suburban car since a lot of Urban homes are in complex's where installing a home charger is expensive if not impossible...Every media release that mentions Supercruise states its predominately for the highway use and is extremely limited for stop and go traffic...For an urban vehicle, a city has so many more obstacles...GM was suppose to debut it on the CT6, a big luxurious highway cruiser, so Bolt seems like the exact opposite of that and I see supercruise trickling down the Caddy line prior to finding its way to a Chevy model...
Autonomous...GM just acquired Cruise Automation for $1B this past March...Every autonomous Bolt EV we've seen has large equipment arrays which are roof mounted, I wouldn't even think about GM having production ready autonomous vehicles available for private ownership until we see some GM autonomous vehicles without roof arrays...And like supercruise the upmarket Caddy may get it before Chevy...
I believe the first GM autonomous vehicles (without drivers) we'll see will be for car/riding sharing services and maybe those will continue to use expensive roof mounted equipment array...
Here's Mary Barra's announcement re autonomous Bolt Production. One question should be answered in Jan/feb: Will the extra equipment will be roof mounted or integral within the body?
GM Plans to Mass-Produce Autonomous Chevy Bolt, Testing Begins in January
By Jon LeSage
Chevy-Bolt-self-driving-test-car-in-Michigan-668x409
General Motors will tap into Michigan’s new self-driving car law and Chevy Bolt production to become the first automaker to mass-produce autonomous vehicles.
GM CEO Mary Barra yesterday said the automaker will “immediately” begin testing self-driving Bolts on public roads near the GM Technical Center in the Detroit area. The company expects the first self-driving Bolts to begin rolling off its assembly line in January.
While the automaker already began testing about 40 self-driving Bolts in San Francisco and Scottsdale, Ariz., the Michigan test runs will be much larger, according to Doug Parks, GM’s vice president of autonomous technology and vehicle execution.
GM will be utilizing Michigan’s broad and liberal autonomous vehicle policy – and its severe weather conditions.
“We’re ensuring that our AVs can operate safely across a full range of road, weather and climate conditions,” Barra said at a news conference.
A week ago, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation that allows automakers and technology partners to develop, test, and sell autonomous vehicles in the state. That policy goes farther than what other states have enacted – allowing for steering wheels and brake pedals to be removed, permission for companies to offer ride-hailing services with autonomous vehicles, and sales to consumers of self-driving cars that have passed testing and certification.
Autonomous Bolts will be assembled at GM’s plant in Orion Township, Mich. That’s where non-autonomous all-electric Bolts are already being built, along with the Chevy Sonic subcompact car. GM workers will be adding to some of the Bolts cameras, sensors, Lidar, and other autonomous technology that will be tested out.
GM Plans to Mass-Produce Autonomous Chevy Bolt, Testing Begins in January
By Jon LeSage
Chevy-Bolt-self-driving-test-car-in-Michigan-668x409
General Motors will tap into Michigan’s new self-driving car law and Chevy Bolt production to become the first automaker to mass-produce autonomous vehicles.
GM CEO Mary Barra yesterday said the automaker will “immediately” begin testing self-driving Bolts on public roads near the GM Technical Center in the Detroit area. The company expects the first self-driving Bolts to begin rolling off its assembly line in January.
While the automaker already began testing about 40 self-driving Bolts in San Francisco and Scottsdale, Ariz., the Michigan test runs will be much larger, according to Doug Parks, GM’s vice president of autonomous technology and vehicle execution.
GM will be utilizing Michigan’s broad and liberal autonomous vehicle policy – and its severe weather conditions.
“We’re ensuring that our AVs can operate safely across a full range of road, weather and climate conditions,” Barra said at a news conference.
A week ago, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation that allows automakers and technology partners to develop, test, and sell autonomous vehicles in the state. That policy goes farther than what other states have enacted – allowing for steering wheels and brake pedals to be removed, permission for companies to offer ride-hailing services with autonomous vehicles, and sales to consumers of self-driving cars that have passed testing and certification.
Autonomous Bolts will be assembled at GM’s plant in Orion Township, Mich. That’s where non-autonomous all-electric Bolts are already being built, along with the Chevy Sonic subcompact car. GM workers will be adding to some of the Bolts cameras, sensors, Lidar, and other autonomous technology that will be tested out.
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I get what you are saying about housing in high population density. Lets say its a car for urban sprawl, not NYC or down town LA. I think that's what GM meant. Suburbs is Connecticut, New Jersey and Philadelphia per stereo type. That sort of thing barely exists in California and when it does it is EXPENSIVE.
I still see this as not for private ownership which I'm not saying that is a bad thing...
I think the Bolt is great for dense downtown areas where all of the semi-Autonomous systems tend to struggle anyways...But you have the 0-60 you may actually NEED, small footprint to maneuver and park...It's just the charging situation; if you can charge at work today there are many ways that could not be the case tomorrow such as an end to the program, you're no longer employed or an over saturation EVs at work makes it near possible to reliably charge...Charging at home is the way to go if it's possible...
It'll get there, but it'll be a wait. It took almost a year from the Gen 2 Volt's introduction until ACC was actually available on it.
But the lead Josh T was asked about it and said "we didn't want to do that" which gives me reason to believe "they" didn't intend to add it later and in order to, braking hardware/software changes would need to happen...If supercruise/fully autonomous is the future, why waste resources on giving one urban vehicle ACC? My best guess was once they decided this will be an "urban vehicle" ACC was out the window...
They gave a far less dismissive answer when questioned about AWD...
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