General Motors is studying how drivers react to distractions inside a simulator as it develops technology intended to let motorists look away from the road.
At GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, volunteers sit in real vehicles while a virtual environment presents traffic, construction and weather conditions. Researchers monitor eye movements, heart rate and other responses to understand how people use automated driving features, according to AP.
Some participants play Candy Crush during the simulated drive. Researchers examine how quickly drivers return their attention to driving when the system requests that they take control, AP reported.
GM plans to introduce eyes-off driving in 2028 on the Cadillac Escalade IQ electric SUV, starting with highways. The automaker announced that target on October 22, 2025, and said availability and permissible use would vary by state.
The proposed system combines lidar, radar, and cameras with real-world driving data and simulation. Engineers use virtual testing to evaluate unusual or hazardous situations that they cannot easily reproduce on public roads, GM explained in a May 27 account of its development work.
Customer confidence also shapes the project. John Kaychi, GM’s senior group product manager for automated driving, discussed that challenge in a company feature published September 4.
“But if customers don’t trust it, it won’t stick,” Kaychi said.
Current Super Cruise technology still requires drivers to watch the road. It can handle steering, acceleration, and braking on compatible roads under certain conditions, and GM offers it in more than 20 North American models, the automaker noted in an August 18 update.
Ford’s BlueCruise carries similar responsibilities. Drivers must maintain full attention and remain ready to take control even when they remove their hands from the wheel, Ford explained. A camera monitors eye gaze and head position, and the system issues escalating warnings when attention wanders.
The ability to look away remains a future goal for GM’s planned system. Drivers using today’s Super Cruise must continue paying attention and must not use a hand-held device, GM cautioned.
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