According to GM Authority, General Motors (GM) plans to invest $35 billion in new autonomous vehicle (AV) and electric vehicle (EV) technologies between now and 2025.
Images have been leaked from GM Authority showing the company testing out competitor Tesla’s Model 3 sedan’s “Smart Summon” feature.
GM Authority, which purports to be “the premier destination for General Motors enthusiasts and current and potential owners to stay up to date on the latest news and discuss the latest GM topics,” first reported the development.
The GM-based news source released photos taken near a General Motors testing facility showing a white Tesla Model 3 sedan with a GM vehicle inventory barcode on the rear bumper and Michigan manufacturer license plates. Notably, the Tesla sedan did not have a driver on board in these photos. The Model 3 was driving toward a nearby person autonomously.
The “Smart Summon” feature, according to Tesla, “is designed to allow you to move [your vehicle] to your location (using your phone’s GPS as a target destination) or to a location of your choice, maneuvering around and stopping for objects, as necessary.”
GM Authority reports that the upcoming GM Ultra Cruise system will include a similar “summon feature,” allowing users to send for their GM vehicle. The website claims that GM Ultra Cruise is a cutting-edge driver-assistance system enabling drivers to take their hands off the wheel and let the vehicle navigate autonomously.
“Looking ahead, it’s likely that a Summon feature will be part of the upcoming GM Ultra Cruise system,” GM Authority wrote. “GM Ultra Cruise is an evolution of the GM Super Cruise system and is expected to enable drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel during city driving. By comparison, the GM Super Cruise system is only available for activation on highways.”
In June 2021, GM announced a $35 million investment toward advancing their vehicle technology. The automaker is racing to establish GM as a competitor in the EV established companies like Volkswagen or EV/AV industry leader Tesla. According to CNBC, GM plans to sell more than one million electric vehicles per year by 2025.
“There are several growth engines in General Motors, and we’re going to just keep pushing ahead and accelerating them like we’re doing today [by] announcing a faster pivot to EVs,” CEO and Chair Mary Barra told CNBC’s Squawk on the Street. “I really see long-term value creation for General Motors and for our shareholders.”
According to GM Authority, GM will continue focusing on the future of automotive technology by completing its third-generation Hydrotec fuel cell cubes. These fuel cell cubes will reportedly achieve more power density at less cost than what is currently on the market.
GM signed a memorandum of understanding with train manufacturer Wabtec this week to help the company make a hydrogen-powered freight locomotive and worked with truck manufacturer Navistar to make hydrogen-powered semi-trucks. GM additionally has a partnership with Honda allowing the companies to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology for public use.
In related news, Tesla is reportedly working on a Reverse Summon feature to remain ahead of its competitors. According to Tesla Motors Club, this new feature would allow a driver to exit the vehicle at a building’s entrance and direct the car to find a parking spot autonomously.