# GM's AI-Powered Cars and Autonomous Dry-Cleaning

> GM promises smarter cars, faster updates, and autonomous dry-cleaning runs.
- Title: GM's AI-Powered Cars and Autonomous Dry-Cleaning · The Verge
- Summary: GM promises smarter cars, faster updates, and autonomous dry-cleaning runs. General Motors aims to cut vehicle development times in half, introduce 40x more…
- Keywords: general motors, autonomous driving, ultium, onstar, cadillac escalade iq, digital twin, battery chemistry, over-the-air updates, technology, culture, GM's, AI-Powered
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/transportation/1014322/gm-onward-ai-ev-battery-compute-av
- Author: Andrew J. Hawkins
- Published: 2026-10-21T18:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: general motors, autonomous driving, ai, ev, ultium, onstar, cadillac escalade iq, digital twin, battery chemistry, over-the-air updates, technology, culture
## GM cuts development times in half
General Motors claims it will use ai to cut vehicle development cycles from four to five years down to two years.
## 40x more powerful compute unit
GM introduces a central compute unit 40 times more powerful than current hardware for faster software updates and ai features.
## New battery chemistry
GM tests 300,000 virtual battery designs before building a single prototype, settling on lithium manganese rich cells for higher energy density.
## Eyes-off autonomous driving
GM rolls out hands-free, eyes-off highway driving to its top trucks and suvs by 2028 using the new compute platform.
## Autonomous dry-cleaning runs
GM envisions vehicles handling mundane tasks like picking up groceries or dry cleaning while driving.
## PlantBrAIn digital twin
GM uses real-time factory data paired with digital twin simulations to catch errors before production.
## OnStar AI overhaul
OnStar gets ai upgrades allowing drivers to control cabin functions via voice commands through an ot a update.
## Ultium battery cells
Ultium cells offer 33 percent higher energy density than traditional lithium iron phosphate cells at comparable cost.
## 40 percent fewer parts
New drive units have 40 percent fewer internal parts than current hardware, making the drivetrain lighter and more space-efficient.
## 2027 cadillac lyriq update
OnStar ai assistant debuts on the 2027 cadillac lyriq through an over-the-air update.
## Autonomous dry-cleaning vision
GM envisions uncrewed trucks picking up groceries or dry cleaning while navigating traffic.
## Key takeaway

General Motors aims to cut vehicle development times in half, introduce 40x more powerful compute units, and roll out eyes-off autonomous driving to its top trucks and SUVs by 2028.