Just yesterday, General Motors (GM) announced their intentions to go even further, bringing their version of an innovative eyes-off, hands-off driving system by the year 2028. News from the GM Forward event in New York City, capped by an appearance from Vice President Kamala Harris, achieves an important milestone. This is another major advance in the company’s mission to build completely self-driving vehicles. Only a year after TechCrunch exclusively reported on GM’s pursuit to make this possible, this initiative has landed.
As of now, Mercedes is the only automaker in the United States that sells a commercially available hands-off, eyes-off driving system. GM’s new system promises to be a game changer for automated driving technology. Yet it offers huge opportunities to raise the baseline for road safety.
Rebecca Bellan, a senior reporter at TechCrunch, has been closely following developments in the automotive industry, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Her observations on the emerging business and policy environment signal a new landscape for the industry.
The SAE’s Level 3 automation standard allows for an automated driving system to operate under specific conditions while retaining the option for human intervention. For Baris Cetinok, a key part is minimizing our dependence on human operators in life-or-death circumstances.
“Human intervention should not be the escape hatch for sudden incidents,” – Baris Cetinok
In short, GM is doubling down on its vision for an autonomous future. To bolster this renewed commitment, the company has redived a half dozen engineers from its Cruise arm. Sterling Anderson, an industry expert, commented on the evolution of automated systems, stating that the reduction in hardware costs has opened new possibilities for development.
“We’re now in a position in 2025 where the industry broadly has brought down the cost tremendously of some of the hardware,” – Sterling Anderson
Earlier this year, Stellantis unveiled an “eyes-off” driving system, highlighting a growing trend among automakers to push the boundaries of vehicle autonomy. With competition heating up on all sides, GM hopes to set itself apart with a strong hands-free offering that delivers significant safety and efficiency benefits.
Bellan has demonstrated a deep understanding of technology and automotive trends in her reporting. Her writing has been published in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, The Atlantic and other top publications. If you’re looking to connect with her for more of her insights, you can reach her on email at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. You can text her via Signal at rebeccabellan.491.
The automotive industry is set for a major transformation as companies like GM continue to explore the potential of autonomous driving technology. Don’t forget that our TC Sessions: Mobility 2023 takes place in San Francisco later this month — on September 19. Attendees will certainly want to explore talks on these innovations and how they could shape tomorrow’s transportation.