Introduction
General Motors has unveiled an ambitious technology strategy that will radically transform the driving experience over the next three years. During the "GM Forward" event held in Manhattan, the company announced the integration of Google Gemini conversational artificial intelligence and the development of a driver-assistance system that will allow drivers to take their hands completely off the wheel and eyes off the road under certain circumstances. These innovations represent a paradigm shift in the automotive industry, transforming vehicles from simple modes of transportation into intelligent assistants that anticipate user needs.
Google Gemini AI: The Conversational Assistant Arriving in 2025
The integration of Google Gemini AI into General Motors vehicles will begin in 2025, progressively extending to all new U.S. models and select vehicles starting from the 2016 model year. According to Sterling Anderson, GM's Chief Product Officer, the goal is to create a car that knows the driver, looks out for them, and meets their needs even before they are verbally expressed.
The system will enable natural conversation with the car, just as one would with a passenger. David Richardson, former Apple executive and current GM Vice President of Software and Services Engineering, previewed that the company will subsequently develop its own AI technology customized for each vehicle, capable of anticipating driver needs, offering timely assistance, and making every journey more personal and enjoyable. This AI platform represents a fundamental element of GM's software strategy, built on the infotainment system already developed on Google technology.
Eyes-Off Autonomous Driving: The Advanced System Coming in 2028
GM plans to launch an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) that will enable hands-free and eyes-off driving starting in 2028, debuting on the Cadillac Escalade IQ, an electric vehicle with a starting price around $127,500. Unlike the current Super Cruise system, which requires constant driver attention monitored through sensors and eye-detection cameras, the new technology will allow drivers to completely take their eyes off the road under specific conditions, while maintaining the ability to resume control of the vehicle when desired.
The system will utilize lidar (light detection and ranging) technology, which allows the vehicle to better detect and "see" its surroundings through light. Anderson clarified that this is a true autonomous driving product, an eyes-off self-driving system that benefits from multiple sensing modes. The evolution toward full potential will be incremental, with the company planning to gradually expand the technology's availability to other models after the Escalade IQ debut.
Centralized Computing Platform and Collaborative Robotics
GM has announced the development of a new centralized computing platform, a fundamental element for increasing vehicle capabilities. The rollout of this computing architecture will begin with the Escalade IQ in 2028. Anderson defined this centralized system as the "foundational piece" of the company's plans to enhance future vehicle functionalities.
In parallel, the company is increasing the use of collaborative robots (cobots) capable of working alongside humans in production processes. These technological initiatives fit into GM's broader vision of driving the future of mobility through the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced connectivity.
GM Energy: Home Batteries and Bidirectional Charging via Leasing
Starting in 2026, General Motors will make its "Energy Home System" available for lease, which includes bidirectional charging for electric vehicles and a stationary home battery. Initially reserved for GM electric vehicle owners, the service will subsequently expand to other homeowners interested in backup power and solar integration.
GM Energy, launched in 2022 as one of the company's growth initiatives in the electric vehicle sector, competes directly with Tesla's home energy systems. The offering includes battery packs, EV chargers, and software to optimize charging and manage grid disruptions. The shift to a leasing model represents an attempt to make these advanced energy solutions more accessible to a broader audience.
Strategic Context and Revenue Objectives
The "GM Forward" announcements come at a crucial moment for General Motors, which has struggled in the past to realize similar technological initiatives. In 2021, the company announced plans to double revenue by 2030, driven by various growth activities that were later discontinued, including the "Ultra Cruise" system and the Cruise robotaxi business. CEO Mary Barra and other executives emphasized that the new initiatives represent a "new era of mobility" and are significantly different from previous announcements, being tangible products that will soon enter the market.
Mark Reuss, GM President, stated that the company's revenue plans are "pretty much on track" with objectives, with a possible delay of one or two years. As of the third quarter of 2023, GM recorded $2 billion from software services, up from 2021, and $5 billion in deferred revenue, up 90% from the previous year. The event was held the day after GM reported standout third-quarter results and raised its guidance, pushing the stock to its second-best day ever since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009.
Conclusion
The initiatives announced by General Motors during the "GM Forward" event mark a turning point in the company's technology strategy. The integration of Google Gemini AI from 2025 and the launch of the eyes-off autonomous driving system by 2028 represent concrete steps toward transforming the vehicle into an intelligent assistant capable of understanding and anticipating driver needs. The combination of conversational artificial intelligence, lidar technology, centralized computing platforms, and integrated energy solutions positions GM at the forefront of mobility evolution. According to Mary Barra, this moment builds on the company's history and charts the course for the future, with the goal of making roads safer and giving people back their most valuable asset: time.
FAQ
When will Google Gemini AI arrive on GM vehicles?
Google Gemini conversational artificial intelligence will begin rolling out on General Motors vehicles starting in 2025, with a deployment that will involve all new U.S. models and select vehicles from the 2016 model year onward.
What is GM's eyes-off driving and when will it be available?
Eyes-off driving is an advanced driver-assistance system that will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road under certain circumstances, while still maintaining the ability to resume control. It will debut on the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028.
What technologies does GM's new autonomous driving system use?
The eyes-off autonomous driving system will utilize lidar (light detection and ranging) technology to detect the surrounding environment, along with multiple sensing modes to ensure greater safety and reliability compared to camera-only based systems.
Will GM Energy be available to those who don't own GM electric vehicles?
Yes, starting in 2026, the GM Energy Home System will be available for lease initially for GM electric vehicle owners, but will subsequently expand to other homeowners interested in energy backup solutions and solar integration.
How does GM's new AI system differ from current Super Cruise?
Unlike Super Cruise, which requires hands-free driving but with constant attention monitored by sensors, the new AI system will enable eyes-off driving, allowing drivers to completely take their eyes off the road under specific operating conditions.
What will be the price of the Cadillac Escalade IQ with autonomous driving?
The Cadillac Escalade IQ, the first vehicle to receive the eyes-off driving system in 2028, currently has a starting price around $127,500, although the final price may vary when the autonomous technology launches.