General Motors is reaffirming its commitment to electric vehicles and autonomous driving, despite market skepticism. At the GM Forward event, executives detailed plans to expand its Super Cruise hands-free driving technology across its vehicle lineup. The company is also developing OnStar AI, designed to offer personalized convenience features, such as pre-ordering food or providing vehicle diagnostics.
Sterling Anderson, GM's head of product, highlighted the extensive testing of autonomous driving systems, covering 1 million miles monthly in both virtual and real-world environments. He emphasized that advanced vehicle capabilities can offer significant convenience, likening the car's potential to a trusted daily tool.
OnStar AI aims to learn user habits and assist with tasks, like remembering frequent restaurant orders or explaining vehicle alerts. The system will leverage new onboard compute modules for local processing, though cloud connectivity can enhance safety and functionality. GM is also focusing on end-to-end encryption for dash cam footage to build customer trust.
Rashed Haq, VP of Autonomous Vehicles, stated that GM's Level 4 technology development prioritizes safety and 'roadcraft' to ensure vehicles do not impede other traffic.