GM Plans to Launch New Cadillac with Automated Steering, Acceleration and Braking

US auto giant General Motors (GM) is planning to introduce a Cadillac model with a hands-free automated driving system and communications systems designed to help avoid vehicle collisions.

A yet-to-be named Cadillac model, which the company plans to launch within two years, will feature "Super Cruise" technology that will automate steering, acceleration and braking at highway speeds of 70 miles per hour or in stop-and-go congested traffic, according to CEO Mary Barra.

Speaking at the Intelligent Transport System World Congress in Detroit, she added that GM's 2017 Cadillac CTS sedan debuting in the second half of 2016 will have a so-called vehicle-to-vehicle technology that enables the car to communicate with other vehicles with similar abilities to improve road safety.

"With Super Cruise, when there's a congestion alert on roads like California's Santa Monica Freeway, you can let the car take over and drive hands free and feet free through the worst stop-and-go traffic around," Barra said.

"If the mood strikes you on the high-speed road from Barstow, California, to Las Vegas, you can take a break from the wheel and pedals and let the car do the work. Having it done for you—that's true luxury."

The technology is entirely different from the fully automated, "driverless" car envisioned by Google, according to GM.

Having recalled millions of vehicles this year due to various glitches causing serious damage to its international reputation, GM has a tough task with the planned automation technology.

"It's critical that it works flawlessly every single time," Barra told reporters after the speech.

"When you look at what has got to come together to make this happen—not just for straight driving on a section of highway, but for every city situation you can imagine—there's quite a bit of technology that has to come together to make this work."