GM’s new ‘digital nerve system’ will enable over-the-air software updates on all vehicles

General Motors introduced a new platform for its vehicles on Monday that’s designed to handle the heavy data loads that will become increasingly necessary as cars get more and smarter autonomous. This new “rdquo & digital nerve system; will enable smartphone-style over-the-air software upgrades on all GM vehicles in the next four decades, said Mark Reuss, president of GM.

“It is a digital nerve system. ”

The new platform will make its debut on the newly unveiled 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan. Later this year, after that, it is going to go into production and must be rolled out to many vehicles within GM&rsquo.

“It is a digital nerve system that will deliver the potential of vehicles, and ” Reuss stated in an interview with The Verge.

Photo by Jeffrey Sauger for General Motors

Legacy automakers have struggled to catch up to Tesla, which has long been the leader in shipping over-the-air (OTA) updates to its customers to change everything from its Autopilot driver assistance system to the design and appearance of its touchscreen interfaces. It’s similar to Apple or Samsung, as an example, can update or fix the software on a smartphone.

GM would be the first automaker to implement an OTA system after Tesla. Ford has also said it would begin rolling out software upgrades for its 2020 models.

GM would be the first automaker to implement an OTA system after Tesla

Previously, GM has said fitting such a system would require rewiring the electrical wiring of its vehicles in order to ensure upgrades were protected from tampering. Now, after five decades of development and research between 300 engineers and over 100 patents, the auto giant is about to roll out its new stage.

The new architecture will be capable of handling 4.5 terabytes of data an hour, or about five times the load of what GM’s cars can handle today. “That’s about 500 films,” Reuss said. But it ’t be films that cars will want to process, so much as large quantities including camera footage, LIDAR input, and real-time traffic and road conditions from partners. This applies to both self-driving cars using their expensive sensor suites and manufacturing cars now available, like Cadillac’s advanced driver assist system Super Cruise.

“That pipe needs to be pretty hefty,” Reuss said between bites of ravioli in an Italian restaurant in the West Village. “Because you want the speed. You know, you’re. ”

Image: GM

Self-driving cars are years — if not decades but GM sees near-term gains with this new electronic platform. Over-the-air software upgrades will allow the automaker to fix engine malfunctions, improve fuel economy, adjust steering quality, and alter nearly every feature on a vehicle, possibly including updates for safety standards that go into effect years after the automobile was built.

Car dealers are usually wary of OTA upgrades for fear of being cut out of the lucrative service and maintenance procedure. Basically, if you can fix your car with an OTA update, you don’t should take it into the dealership. And that means less money for them.

Reuss believes GM’because it is going to allow them to concentrate s dealers will finally benefit from this digital architecture. Dealers could save some money by fulfilling repair claims and warranty with fewer overhead costs, finishing the work over the airwaves

“This takes it to a whole different place where we can do safety things. We can do enhancements. We can provide you with a buying experience and vehicle any time we want on a repeated basis,&rdquo. “So the ownership model gets good. ”

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