"We're evolving OnStar to become a true driving partner," GM CEO Mary Barra said during the event.
Drivers can activate the system by saying "Hey, OnStar" and then issue requests without using specific commands. For example, mentioning that the interior feels too hot can prompt the assistant to adjust the climate controls. The system can also operate interior lighting, release the electronic glove compartment, and open the charging port.
For electric vehicle owners, the assistant can provide battery information, estimate remaining driving range, and recommend charging stops. Drivers can also ask whether their current charge is sufficient to complete a planned trip.
GM is positioning the assistant as an alternative to searching through traditional vehicle documentation. It can explain dashboard alerts, identify potential issues associated with warning messages, and provide instructions for features available in a particular vehicle, including one-pedal driving.
The company says the system draws on verified vehicle information to deliver accurate responses. When it cannot resolve a question, drivers can be transferred to a human OnStar Advisor. The assistant will be included within GM's OnStar subscription offering, although the automaker has not disclosed pricing.
Alongside the in-car assistant, GM announced plans to consolidate its mobile services into a single OnStar app beginning in 2027. The new application will replace the existing brand-specific apps for Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC, as well as OnStar Guardian.
The unified app will introduce conversational AI support, navigation assistance, and remote access to vehicle cameras. It will also support automatic camera recording when a theft is detected. GM says recordings will be encrypted and retained for limited periods, with the company unable to access remotely stored video files. Owners will also have controls for permissions involving cameras, microphones, and location data.
The announcements are part of a wider technology overhaul that includes changes to GM's vehicle development process. The automaker plans to use AI-powered simulations and connected engineering systems to reduce the time required to move a vehicle from initial design to production from approximately four or five years to two.
GM pointed to its lithium manganese-rich battery development as an example of the approach. According to the company, AI simulations allowed engineers to evaluate more than 300,000 battery configurations, helping the project advance from an initial battery pack design to formal approval within one month.
The batteries will use higher manganese content to reduce reliance on cobalt and nickel. GM plans to manufacture them with LG Energy at its Spring Hill, Tennessee facility and incorporate them into its fourth-generation electric vehicle architecture. The platform will also feature redesigned electric motors with 40% fewer components.
GM also introduced a new centralized computing architecture intended to support its expanding software and AI capabilities. The Central Compute Unit will integrate systems responsible for propulsion, vehicle controls, safety, and environmental perception into a shared computing platform.
According to GM, the architecture will provide 40 times the processing capability of its existing systems while reducing vehicle wiring by 30%. It is scheduled to debut in the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ before expanding to other vehicles, including full-size gasoline-powered SUVs and pickups, three-row crossovers, and next-generation electric models.
The 2028 Escalade IQ will also introduce autonomous highway driving capabilities. GM says it is currently evaluating the technology on closed test courses, supported by approximately 3 billion miles of simulated driving each day and more than 1 million miles of real-world testing monthly.
The automaker intends to bring its most advanced driver-assistance capabilities to gasoline-powered models as well, including autonomous highway driving in a full-size pickup.
For GM, the new OnStar assistant represents the most immediate consumer-facing element of these developments. Its initial rollout will give Lyriq owners a way to interact with vehicle systems conversationally, while the planned app consolidation and centralized computing platform establish the foundation for additional connected features across GM's vehicle lineup.
This analysis is based on reporting from Motor1.
Image courtesy of GM.
This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy and quality.
