General Motors is set to unveil a new era of in-vehicle technology, with plans to launch an eyes-off, hands-free driving system by 2028. The announcement was made during a presentation in lower Manhattan, where CEO Mary Barra opened the event by outlining GM’s vision for the future of transportation. “Today we'll share our vision for our vehicles, our industry and how we're driving the future of transportation forward,” she said. The upcoming system will represent a major leap from GM’s current Super Cruise, which allows hands-free driving on pre-mapped roads across North America. The new technology will go beyond that, enabling true eyes-off, self-driving capabilities. It will rely on a multi-sensor approach, including lidar—light detection and ranging—systems that provide highly detailed 3D mapping of the vehicle’s surroundings. This technology allows for more accurate object detection and environmental understanding, especially in complex or low-visibility conditions. While Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of lidar, arguing that camera-based systems and advanced computer vision are sufficient, GM’s leadership strongly disagrees. “Just be clear, we're developing a self driving product,” said Chris Anderson, a former Tesla executive and now a key figure at GM. “It's an eyes-off, self-driving system. As it relates to use of lidar in it, your product will be better with multiple modes of sensing, period. Full stop.” Anderson described the development of the system as an “ocean that's too big to boil,” emphasizing that it will evolve incrementally over time, with continuous improvements and updates. The company is committed to a phased rollout, ensuring safety and reliability at every stage. GM has not confirmed whether the new system will be branded as “Super Cruise,” though it is expected to build on the foundation of the existing platform. Unlike the current version, which uses eye-tracking cameras to monitor driver attentiveness, the next-generation system will be designed to operate without requiring constant driver supervision. Despite being the first automaker to introduce a hands-free driving system in 2016, GM was slow to expand Super Cruise. However, Barra said the rollout of the new eyes-off system will be significantly faster, reflecting the company’s accelerated pace in advancing its autonomous technology. The announcement also highlighted GM’s broader push into AI integration, with Google’s AI technology expected to play a key role in powering the vehicle’s intelligence, decision-making, and user experience. This collaboration marks a strategic move to enhance in-car systems with advanced machine learning capabilities. As GM positions itself at the forefront of the next generation of mobility, the company is betting that a combination of lidar, AI, and a commitment to safety will set it apart in the race to deliver fully autonomous driving.