General Motors (GM) is steering toward an intelligent, electrified future with a groundbreaking set of innovations in autonomy, artificial intelligence, and vehicle computing — all centered around its upcoming electric SUV, the Cadillac Escalade IQ.
At the GM Forward media event in New York, Chair and CEO Mary Barra unveiled how the automaker’s expanding scale, AI expertise, and electric platforms are converging to redefine mobility. “We’re moving toward a new era of intelligent transportation,” Barra said, underscoring GM’s commitment to evolving cars into “personalized digital companions.”
Eyes-Off Electric Driving by 2028
The company’s most ambitious announcement is eyes-off autonomous driving, debuting in 2028 with the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ. GM’s existing Super Cruise technology — which has already mapped over 600,000 miles of hands-free roads in North America and logged 700 million crash-free miles — provides the foundation for this next-generation autonomy. The integration of Cruise’s five million fully driverless miles adds unmatched real-world experience to GM’s autonomy roadmap.
Conversational AI for Smarter EVs
Starting in 2026, GM vehicles will feature Google Gemini-powered conversational AI, enabling natural dialogue between drivers and their cars. The system will later evolve into GM’s proprietary AI assistant, capable of understanding driver habits, optimizing EV performance, suggesting charging spots, and even recommending restaurants during trips — all via OnStar connectivity.
Next-Gen Computing for Electric and Hybrid Platforms
A major leap in vehicle architecture arrives in 2028, when GM introduces its centralized computing platform, starting with the Escalade IQ. The unified system will deliver 1,000x more bandwidth and 35x more AI performance, ensuring smoother EV software updates and enhanced autonomy features. Designed for both electric and combustion vehicles, the platform represents a shift toward software-defined mobility.
EVs as Power Hubs
GM also highlighted its GM Energy Home System, an integrated bi-directional charging solution launching in 2026. The technology will allow GM’s electric vehicles to power homes during outages and eventually feed electricity back into the grid. The company will offer this as a lease-based energy solution, with compatibility for solar and stationary battery storage.
Intelligent Manufacturing with Robotics
Behind the scenes, GM’s Autonomous Robotics Center (ARC) in Michigan and California is developing “cobots” — collaborative robots that work alongside humans on production lines. By leveraging decades of production data, these AI-driven machines are improving safety, precision, and factory efficiency — all crucial to scaling EV production.
Driving Toward an AI-Electric Future
GM’s announcements mark a major step in integrating AI, autonomy, and electrification across its ecosystem. From the intelligent Cadillac Escalade IQ to vehicle-to-grid power solutions, the automaker is building a future where EVs are not just transport tools but adaptive digital partners.
Through AI, robotics, and advanced computing, we’re creating vehicles that evolve with their owners,” GM said in its statement. “This is the next phase of intelligent mobility — safe, sustainable, and connected.
