GM Targets 2028 Launch for Eyes-Off, Hands-Off Driving Technology

General Motors remains on track to introduce driving technology designed to let motorists take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel under certain conditions by 2028, CEO Mary Barra said Monday, with the system initially planned for the electric Cadillac Escalade IQ.

The technology will expand to other models after its planned Escalade IQ debut. It would go beyond GM’s Super Cruise system, which allows hands-free driving but requires drivers to remain attentive.

Barra said she recently tested the system and was impressed by its progress since an earlier test in March.

“They’re making so much progress on our goal to have eyes off, hands off in the ’28 time frame,” Barra said. “We’re going to be well positioned from a personal autonomy perspective.”

She added that drivers would still be able to operate their vehicles when they wanted, while those who did not want to drive could increasingly rely on the system.

GM’s plan follows its decision to leave the Cruise robotaxi business in December 2024 after spending more than $10 billion on the unit. The automaker is redirecting resources toward autonomous systems for vehicles owned by consumers.

“We’re not in the taxi business. We’re not in the bus business,” Barra said.

Barra defended the decision to exit the robotaxi market and said GM retained much of the Cruise team for work on personal-vehicle autonomy. She also rejected the idea that autonomous driving would necessarily reduce demand for privately owned vehicles.

People continue to value having a vehicle available at home and being able to travel whenever they choose, Barra said. GM’s next stated step is to introduce the new driving system in the Escalade IQ during 2028.