GM plans to launch eyes-off driving, Google AI, other tech by 2028

NEW YORK — General Motors 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 largely control the vehicle without human interaction or monitoring.

GM said the conversational Google Gemini AI will begin launching in its vehicles next year, followed by the new driver-assistance system, which will allow drivers to be hands-free and take their eyes off the road under certain circumstances, in 2028.

GM CEO Mary Barra and other executives made the announcements Wednesday as part of a “GM Forward” software event that also showcased other initiatives designed to “transform the car from a mode of transportation into an intelligent assistant,” the automaker said.

The company also announced that it is working on a new centralized computing platform, which is planned to roll out starting with the Escalade IQ in 2028; increased use of collaborative robots, also known as cobots, that can work alongside humans; and expanding availability of products from its GM Energy business.

“Today we’ll share our vision for our vehicles, our industry and how we’re driving the future of transportation forward,” Barra said to kick off the event in lower Manhattan.

GM said the announcements are meant to usher in a “new era of mobility” for the company, which has struggled to achieve such initiatives in the past. Its previous efforts included announcing plans in 2021 to double revenue by 2030, led by many now-defunct growth businesses, as well as growing annual software and services revenue to between $20 billion and $25 billion.

In recent years, it also killed an “Ultra Cruise” system meant to be able to drive in 95% of circumstances that was initially due to come out in 2023 and folded its Cruise robotaxi business.

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

GM President Mark Reuss on Wednesday said 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 technologies announced Wednesday. He also said these initiatives are “very different” than prior announcements, as they’re tangible products that are entering the market shortly.

As of the third quarter of this year, GM recognized $2 billion…