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GM Uses Immersive Simulators to Test “Eyes-Off” Autonomous Driving
By Drooid · · How we work
GM's Simulation Approach to “Eyes-Off” Driving
At the General Motors Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, volunteers drive real Cadillac Lyriq and other GM models while a 360-degree simulator renders the surrounding environment. The system records eye movements, heart rate and stress levels as participants encounter computer-generated obstacles, construction zones and varied weather. The data help engineers gauge driver engagement and the vehicle’s ability to operate safely without visual supervision.
From Hands-Free to Eyes-Off: Technology Roadmap
GM has offered Super Cruise, a hands-free driver-assistance system, on more than 20 models since 2017. The feature currently permits drivers to keep their eyes on the road while the car handles highway cruising. The company plans to launch the next generation of Super Cruise—capable of “eyes-off” operation—on the Cadillac Escalade IQ by 2028, joining a broader industry timeline in which several manufacturers target similar capabilities on highways and a wider range of roads.
Inside the Simulator: Data Collection Methods
During simulated drives, GM tracks heart rate, eye-gaze duration on specific road elements, and the time required for a driver to retake control. Participants are sometimes asked to play the mobile game Candy Crush while driving, a tactic described as effective for measuring how quickly drivers disengage from a distracting task. Post-drive surveys assess comfort, perceived trustworthiness of the system and the seconds needed for a safe takeover.
Official Statements & Responses
Telemetry market-research vice-president Sam Abuelsamid notes that the lack of comprehensive regulation forces automakers to seek state-by-state approvals, leaving the 2028 rollout uncertain. GM’s autonomous-vehicle strategy director Tyson Becker emphasizes that the “eyes-off” goal is to let occupants perform activities such as reading or watching videos while the system remains safe. Senior GM researcher Maureen August stresses the aim of replicating real-world driving experience within the simulator to ensure robust performance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Going eyes off is really the turning point where consumers will be more willing to pay for this feature, because when you go eyes off, now you’re really potentially giving the driver back some time, because they don’t have to be paying attention to the road,” — Sam Abuelsamid, Telemetry
- “You can take your hands off the wheel and keep your eyes on the roads, but safely enjoy a de-stressed drive on those roads in your normal, everyday commutes,” — Tyson Becker, GM
- “What we’re talking about is truly a technology that is so safe that it allows you to take your eyes off the road while it’s active, and do other things in the cabin, whether that is looking at your phone, looking at your laptop, taking a meeting, watching a movie,” — Tyson Becker, GM
- “We want to really be able to take anything that our customers could experience out on the road,” — Maureen August, GM Research
- “There isn’t really much in the way of real regulation that governs these systems today,” — Sam Abuelsamid, Telemetry
