GM Super Cruise to Allow Eyes-Off Driving by 2028, Debuting in Cadillac Escalade IQ

GM Super Cruise to Allow Eyes-Off Driving by 2028, Escalade IQ to Debut Centralized AI Core

General Motors (GM) has laid out an ambitious roadmap for autonomous driving and in-cabin technology, confirming plans to introduce Level 3 “hands-off, eyes-off” driving technology by 2028, starting with the Cadillac Escalade IQ. This strategic move represents a massive escalation in the autonomy race, making GM only the second automaker (after Mercedes-Benz) to offer a Level 3 system in the U.S. Crucially, this advanced capability will be powered by a revolutionary new centralized computing platform that GM is developing, delivering a huge leap in AI performance and software update capacity.

Level 3 Autonomy and Hardware Upgrade

GM’s next-generation Super Cruise moves the driver from a supervisory role to an optional fallback, transforming the driving experience on approved highways.

• Eyes-Off Debut: The upgraded Super Cruise will debut in the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ, allowing drivers to safely look away from the road, read, or catch up on messages under specific operating conditions.
• Level 3 Defined: This moves the system from Level 2 (Partial Automation, requiring constant driver monitoring) to Level 3 (Conditional Automation), where the car, not the driver, is responsible for safety in certain mapped zones.
• Safety Cue: Turquoise lighting across the dashboard and mirrors will signal when the system is active and safe to glance away.
• Sensor Redundancy: Unlike vision-only systems, GM’s Level 3 relies on sensor fusion, integrating LiDAR, radar, and cameras for the necessary precision and safety redundancy.
• Proven Foundation: The system builds on GM’s current Level 2 Super Cruise, which has logged over 700 million hands-free miles globally with zero crashes attributed to the technology.

Revolutionary Centralized Computing Core

Behind the Level 3 system is a complete hardware overhaul that makes GM’s future vehicles “software-defined.”

• New Platform: The new centralized computing platform will debut in the Escalade IQ in 2028, consolidating hundreds of electronic control units into a single core powered by next-generation processors like NVIDIA Thor.
• Performance Leap: This platform will deliver up to 35 times more AI performance for autonomy, 1,000 times more bandwidth, and 10 times more over-the-air (OTA) update capacity compared to current systems.
• Software Advantage: The centralized architecture simplifies vehicle design and allows GM to deliver real-time safety updates and continuously improve the car’s features over its lifetime.

AI Assistant and Energy Integration

GM is also enhancing in-cabin experience and vehicle-to-grid capabilities.

• Conversational AI: Starting in 2026, GM vehicles will feature a conversational AI assistant powered by Google Gemini (a Google Large Language Model). This conversational AI will allow drivers to ask natural questions, handle messaging, and get contextual, vehicle-specific information. This is a placeholder for GM’s own custom-built AI that will learn driver habits.
• V2G/GM Energy: GM also plans to launch a new home energy system in 2026 that will enable its electric vehicles to feed electricity back into the local grid (Vehicle-to-Grid, or V2G).

Final Thoughts

GM’s commitment to delivering Level 3 autonomy by 2028 via the Cadillac Escalade IQ is a massive strategic pivot, moving the company to a tech-first identity. This aggressive timeline, backed by the powerful centralized computing platform, directly challenges rivals like BMW and Tesla in the race for true automation dominance in the luxury segment. The successful deployment of eyes-off driving capability would redefine the luxury chauffeur experience and mark a significant turning point in GM’s transformation into a leader in intelligent mobility.

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