Voice commands to control vehicle functions

Check status and coordinate trips from outside the car

'Concept Horizon' interior vision unveiled for autonomous driving era

A presenter explains a new user interface for future in-vehicle experiences at the GM Forward event. [GM]
A presenter explains a new user interface for future in-vehicle experiences at the GM Forward event. [GM]

General Motors unveiled plans Wednesday (local time) at its "GM Forward" event in New York to integrate AI into its OnStar connectivity service and launch a new mobile app.

The OnStar AI assistant lets drivers control vehicle functions through natural-language voice commands and provides guidance on vehicle status and operation. Users can ask it to adjust the cabin temperature, check remaining driving range to a destination, and get route guidance that includes charging stops along the way.

The assistant also explains warning lights and vehicle-specific features such as one-pedal driving and lane-keeping assist. Responses are tailored to each vehicle and customer based on the driver's situation and GM's technical knowledge, with permissions and privacy settings determined by the customer. When human help is needed, the system can connect users to a live OnStar advisor for real-time support.

GM plans to introduce the feature first to the Cadillac Lyriq via an over-the-air update within the coming months, then expand it to other GM vehicles.

Starting in 2027, a new OnStar mobile app will let customers access vehicle information from outside the car. The OnStar AI assistant will also answer vehicle-related questions within the app. The new app will replace the existing OnStar Guardian app and the separate Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick mobile apps.

A connected camera feature will record footage using onboard cameras when certain situations are detected, securely upload the video to the app and send a notification. The OnStar Family feature lets family members share destinations, coordinate pickups and manage other vehicles in the household.

Customers can choose which features to enable and what data to share, and can change those settings at any time. They can manage permissions for the camera, microphone, location and AI functions. Connected camera footage is encrypted and subject to recording time limits, and GM said it has no access to that footage.

OnStar Fleet Intelligence, designed for commercial fleet operators, consolidates vehicle health, maintenance, and fuel and energy usage data in one view. Fleet managers can spot problems early to reduce vehicle downtime and costs, and can query a built-in AI assistant in natural language to identify key trends.

GM also unveiled Concept Horizon, a vision for the vehicle interior as a space for work, rest and leisure in the autonomous driving era. The concept reimagines the cabin as a multipurpose environment — suited for productivity, relaxation or entertainment — in anticipation of a future where the vehicle handles all driving. Built on an integrated user interface architecture, it is designed to understand customer preferences and context and respond at the right moment.

Looking further ahead, GM said it envisions vehicles that handle everyday errands on their own — picking up groceries and dry cleaning, transporting family members to their destinations and parking themselves.

Meanwhile, GM used the GM Forward event to unveil a roadmap for expanding autonomous driving across its key vehicle lineup, along with a next-generation electrical and computing architecture to support it, as the company continues to broaden its technology push.


eyre@heraldcorp.com