GM plans to launch eye-off driving, Google AI, other technologies by 2028

new york – General Motors It is targeting a suite of new software initiatives for its vehicles over the next three years, including an in-vehicle artificial intelligence assistant from Google and a driver-assistance system that can control the vehicle without human interaction or supervision.

GM said in conversation Google Gemini AI It will begin rolling out in its vehicles next year, followed by a new driver-assistance system, which in 2028 will allow drivers to be hands-free and, in certain circumstances, keep their eyes off the road.

GM CEO Mary twelve And other executives announced Wednesday as part of a “GM Forward” software event that also showcased “other initiatives designed to transform the car from a vehicle to an intelligent assistant,” the automaker said.

The company also announced that it is working on a new centralized computing platform, which it plans to launch with the Escalade IQ in 2028; the increasing use of collaborative robots, also known as cobots, that can work alongside humans; and increasing the availability of products from it GM Energy Business.

“Today we will share our vision for our vehicles, our industry and how we are driving the future of transportation,” Barra said at the opening of the event in Lower Manhattan.

GM said the announcements are meant to usher in a “new era of dynamism” for the company, which has struggled to achieve such initiatives in the past. His previous attempts to get ahead have included announcing Plans in 2021 Doubling revenues by 2030, Leading several now-defunct growth businesses, as well as growing annual software and services revenue between $20 billion and $25 billion.

In recent years, it also scrapped the “Ultra Cruise” system meant to be able to drive in 95% of conditions that was initially phased out and folded in 2023. his The business of cruise robotaxis.

GM executives on Wednesday declined to discuss the revenue potential of the new announcements. CFO Paul Jacobson has previously scaled back his goal of doubling revenue, but noted the company’s growing revenue, up 9.1% to $187.44 billion last year.

GM President Mark Reuss said Wednesday that the company’s revenue plans are “pretty much on track … maybe a year or two different” as it plans to continue to grow revenue, especially with the technology announced Wednesday. He also said that these initiatives are “very different” from previous announcements, as they are tangible products that are entering the market soon.

In the third quarter of this year, GM recognized $2 billion from software services. This is from 2021, when the plans were announced, when it took a full year to reach that mark. It also cited $5 billion in deferred revenue at the end of the third quarter, up 90% from a year ago.

The event came a day after GM reported Standout third quarter earnings And the stock extended its guidance for its second-best day on record since the automaker’s emergence from bankruptcy in 2009.

GM stock was relatively flat on Wednesday.

GM said that since the AI ​​system GoogleOn which its infotainment system is developed, “your car will be able to talk to your fellow passengers.”

Sterling Anderson, GM Chief Product Officer, said during the program.

The Detroit automaker said it expects to update select vehicles with AI tech in all new models in the U.S. starting in the 2016 model year.

GM plans to develop its own “AI, custom-built” technology in the coming years but did not provide an exact timeframe.

“In the future, we’ll fine-tune your vehicle with our own AI,” said David Richardson. apple Executive who is now GM Vice President of Software and Services Engineering. “Think of it as an assistant. It will anticipate your needs, provide timely assistance, and make every journey more personal and more enjoyable.”

GM said it plans to revamp its advanced driver-assistance system, also known as ADAS, to feature hands-free, “eyes-off” driving technology. Cadillac Escalade IQ EV, That currently starts at around $127,500 in 2028.

The automaker then expects to expand the technology’s availability to other models, company officials said.

“Autonomy will make our roads safer. It will give consumers back their most valuable asset: time. It will be a cornerstone of the GM product portfolio going forward,” Anderson said.

The vehicle will use lidar, or light detection and ranging, systems that allow the vehicle to better detect, or “see,” its surroundings. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is notable There were critics The technology and his company’s vehicles rely on camera-based systems and computer vision.

GM declined to say whether the new technology would be called “Super Cruise,” the current system that allows drivers to drive hands-free on 600,000 miles of pre-mapped roads in North America.

The current Super Cruise system monitors driver alertness using sensors and eye-detecting cameras.

GM was the first automaker to offer such a hands-free system in 2016, but has been slow to roll out the technology until recent years.

GM Energy Launched in 2022 As one of the automaker’s growth initiatives involving EVs. The collision began Teslaof home energy systems and provides battery packs, EV chargers and software to help customers optimize charging and mitigate electric grid disruptions.

GM has not disclosed the size or revenue of its GM Energy business, except in a blog by GM Energy Vice President Wade Schaeffer, who said momentum for its services is growing.

“It’s really incredible to see all the great things on the horizon and I know we’ll deliver for our customers and that’s what’s most important,” Barra said. “This moment builds on our history and sets the course.”