GM’s AI-Powered Cars Get New Hands-Free Driving Assist
▼ Summary
– GM hosted a tech event in New York City for journalists, covering travel and accommodation, with Ars maintaining no paid editorial content.
– The event showcased GM’s ongoing projects, including advancements in lithium manganese-rich battery technology and EV backup power capabilities.
– Cadillac will launch the Escalade IQ in 2028 featuring a Level 3 automated driving system that allows hands-off, eyes-off highway driving up to 80 mph.
– CEO Mary Barra emphasized a safety-first approach and promised a faster rollout for this system compared to Super Cruise.
– GM plans to expand the automated driving system beyond the Escalade to its entire vehicle lineup, envisioning cars that anticipate needs and self-service.
General Motors is accelerating its autonomous driving ambitions with a major new announcement for its Cadillac brand. The luxury automaker plans to equip the upcoming Escalade IQ with an advanced Level 3 conditional automated driving system, slated for a 2028 release. This technology, described by GM as a “hands off, eyes off” system, promises to fundamentally change the driving experience on compatible highways.
The system is engineered to manage all driving tasks under specific conditions, allowing the driver to legally divert their attention away from the road. Imagine watching a film from the driver’s seat while the vehicle navigates the highway at speeds up to 80 mph. This capability is made possible through a sophisticated fusion of technologies, including high-definition digital mapping, lidar sensors, and advanced machine learning algorithms. The initial operational area will be carefully controlled, but GM intends to progressively expand the network of roads where the system can function, gradually making active driving optional in many scenarios.
GM’s CEO, Mary Barra, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety during a recent presentation. “We’re taking a safety-first approach,” she stated, assuring attendees that the rollout of this new technology will be significantly faster than the initial deployment of the Super Cruise system. This indicates a confident and aggressive timeline for bringing high-level automation to consumers.
While the debut will be exclusive to the Cadillac Escalade IQ, General Motors has a clear long-term vision to proliferate this hands-free driving assist across its entire vehicle lineup. Barra painted a picture of a future where your car not only drives itself but also anticipates your needs, transports you to your destination, and even manages its own maintenance during periods of inactivity. This represents a significant step toward a new era of personal mobility.
(Source: Ars Technica)
