GM reveals new EV platform

General Motors has debuted a new electronic platform necessary for its next generation of connected and electric vehicles.

The electronic platform will go into production later this year and should be rolled out to most vehicles within GM’s global line-up by 2023.

It includes active safety, infotainment and connectivity features, and the evolution of the Super Cruise driver assistance feature.

These and many other advancements are central to GM’s vision for a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, the company says.

As the automotive industry and vehicles evolve in the next five to 10 years, more electrical bandwidth and connectivity will be needed to ensure features like electric propulsion systems, the Super Cruise driver assistance feature and advanced active safety systems can all run in conjunction with each other, GM adds.

“The critical role of software and its importance to our vehicles, both now and for years to come, cannot be overstated,” president Mark Reuss says. “Our new digital vehicle platform and its eventual successors will underpin all our future innovations across a wide range of technological advancements, including EVs and expanded automated driving.”

The technology powers an electronic system, capable of managing up to 4.5 terabytes of data processing power per hour, a five-fold increase in capability over GM’s current electrical architecture.

The new system also allows an expanded capacity for smartphone-like over-the-air software updates and more rapid communications within the vehicle itself and to outside sources thanks to Ethernet connections of 100Mbps, 1Gbps, and 10Gbps.

Cybersecurity is another key pillar of the new architecture. The system’s DNA includes additional protective features at the hardware and software levels.

The electronic platform was developed at GM facilities across the globe by a team of electrical, hardware and software engineers.