GM plans to launch eyes-off driving, Google AI and other new in-vehicle tech by 2028 (www.cnbc.com)

General Motors announced a three-year push to embed more advanced software and AI in its vehicles, led by conversational Google Gemini arriving in GM infotainment “next year” and a more capable advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) that will permit hands‑free, eyes‑off driving in certain conditions by 2028. The ADAS — debuting on the Cadillac Escalade IQ — will lean on lidar for environmental sensing, run on a new centralized vehicle compute platform planned to start in 2028, and be rolled out beyond flagship models over time. GM also highlighted initiatives around collaborative robots (cobots) in manufacturing and a leased “Energy Home System” (bi‑directional EV charging and stationary batteries) available to EV owners starting 2026. This is significant because it shifts GM’s strategy from incremental driver aids toward turning cars into proactive, conversational “intelligent assistants” that anticipate needs, while consolidating vehicle compute and sensor stacks for more capable autonomy. Key technical points: Google Gemini provides natural-language interaction across 2016‑onward models and new cars; the ADAS emphasizes lidar-based perception (a divergence from Tesla’s camera-only approach); and GM plans its own fine‑tuned in-vehicle AI later. The roadmap also has commercial implications — GM has grown software revenue (~$2B recognized, $5B deferred) — but follows prior setbacks (cancelled Ultra Cruise, scaled‑back Cruise robotaxis), so delivery and regulatory approval will be critical to realize these promises.