The Lucid Air has already shown legacy automakers how things should be done when it comes to electric efficiency and range. Now the company with the longest ranges has stepped up to match GM, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and other companies with a hands-free upgrade. The latest update to Lucid’s DreamDrive pro driver assistance suite will have its users waving their hands in the air with joy, because they can drive hands-free in certain situations.
Lucid Upgrades DreamDrive Pro
Lucid’s DreamDrive system is currently offered in two versions on the Air. There is Premium, which is included on all models, and Pro, which is a $2,500 optional extra. Premium includes handy features like 3D surround cameras and blind spot delays. It also has advanced driver assists including cross traffic protection, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warnings and protection.
Step up to Pro, and Lucid adds a whole suite of sensors. At launch, it included Drive Assist with lane centering, stop-and-go traffic jam assists, and active curve speed control. It also features a curb rash alert to help make sure you don’t snub one of the large-diameter wheels.
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Pro included the promise of “future-capable ADAS hardware” with 32 sensors, including LiDAR. Starting July 30 for Air owners and later this year for Gravity buyers, a software update makes the future the present. Lucid says that DreamDrive Pro will allow “intuitive hands-free driving” on compatible divided highways. The system will also help you with hands-free lane changes. All you need to do is tug the turn stalk.
“The addition of these features to Lucid’s DreamDrive Pro offers a glimpse into the future that Lucid is building with the impressive capabilities of our software-defined vehicles. With our in-house software stack, a comprehensive suite of 32 sensors, and regular OTA updates, we have a roadmap to continue to deliver significantly more functionality to our owners in the future.”
-Kai Stepper, vice president of ADAS and AD at Lucid.
DreamDrive Joins Rare Air Of Hands-Off Drivers
Official hands-free driving puts the system ahead of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software and on a level not many automakers have yet reached. Its competition includes GM’s Super Cruise, Ford BlueCruise, and BMW’s Highway Assistant. All of those services work on previously-mapped highways. Stellantis also has Active Driving Assist for its US brands, including Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.
For some, like Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot, it only works on select roads in a few states. General Motors currently claims 400,000 miles of mapped roadways. Lucid did not specify the limits of its system.
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Another unique feature of the Lucid system is that it is sold as a one-time purchase and not as a recurring subscription. This makes it potentially much more affordable than similar systems.
The new feature should make highway commuting even less stressful for owners. We’re guessing that hypermiling champ Umit Sabanci would really have appreciated it a few weeks back when he did a 749-mile run in an Air Grand Touring to set a Guinness record for longest distance on a single charge.
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