GM expands ‘eyes-off’ autonomous driving plans to pickups and SUVs

General Motors is broadening its autonomous driving initiatives to include a wider array of vehicles as the company invests in artificial intelligence and software, which are expected to be significant revenue sources in the future.

During its "GM Forward" event on Wednesday, the automaker announced plans to extend its "eyes-off" autonomous driving technology to pickup trucks, crossovers, and large SUVs, following its initial rollout in the Cadillac Escalade IQ, scheduled for 2028.

Mary Barra, GM's Chair and CEO, stated, "We're changing what it means to drive, and transforming your car into an intelligent partner that makes your life easier." This technology will enable drivers to divert their attention from the road while the vehicle manages driving under specific conditions, starting with highways and later expanding to other types of roads.

GM Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson elaborated on the implementation, saying, "It'll land in light-duty pickups, it'll land in crossovers. It'll start on highways, and it'll expand off the highways for the rest of your drive." The company's long-term goals are even more ambitious, as they aim for vehicles to autonomously complete tasks without any occupants, such as grocery runs or laundry drop-offs.

"Eventually, your car will be able to operate in what we internally call mission mode. Handling tedious tasks on your behalf, like picking up groceries and dropping off laundry without you even in it," Anderson noted.

This initiative is part of GM's comprehensive strategy to enhance its vehicles with advanced software and AI capabilities. The company is working on a centralized computing platform that will be integrated across a wide range of its vehicles. Additionally, GM is set to introduce the OnStar AI Assistant, an in-vehicle tool aimed at improving driver interaction by understanding their needs and preferences better.

The OnStar AI Assistant is expected to debut in the 2027 Cadillac Lyriq and will later be available in more GM models. This assistant will be capable of answering vehicle-related queries, controlling specific features, and providing customized assistance to drivers.

Ed Nightingale, GM's vice president of digital products, shared with FOX Business that the initial focus of the OnStar AI Assistant is to enhance the overall vehicle experience for drivers. "Initially, OnStar AI is really focused on deepening the vehicle experience," he explained.

As GM rolls out these connected and AI-driven features, the company is also addressing privacy and safety concerns. Nightingale mentioned that customers will have visibility into when their data is being shared and will have the choice to opt in or out of data sharing. Human OnStar advisors will continue to be available to assist users, especially in emergency situations, as AI becomes more prevalent in their services. "We always still have a human available," he emphasized. "A human being is always there to help you."

Additionally, GM plans to include various digital services with new vehicle purchases. Buyers will receive eight years of OnStar Basics, which currently includes Google Gemini and will incorporate the OnStar AI Assistant once it is launched.

Another feature on the horizon is OnStar-connected cameras, which will allow drivers to access video recordings captured by their vehicle's cameras in the event of specific incidents. GM has stated that these recordings will be secured through end-to-end encryption and will only be accessible to the authorized account holder.

The investments in these technologies may also represent a growing revenue opportunity for GM. A recent estimate from UBS projected that GM's digital revenue could increase from $3.2 billion this year to $9.6 billion by 2036, highlighting the automaker's digital capabilities as an "underappreciated and undervalued opportunity."

Reuters contributed to this report.