Stellantis has outlined a timetable for supervised, hands-free driving in North America. According to Foley's automotive update, the company hopes to launch the technology, developed with the AI startup Wayve, in 2028. The report also notes a new co-location programme that will bring select suppliers to Stellantis' North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Wayve is a British company that develops AI-based driving software, which it describes as learning from data and experience instead of relying on detailed hand-written rules. Supervised hands-free driving means that the driver can take their hands off the wheel but must remain attentive. That differs from eyes-off systems such as the one GM says it will launch in 2028 on the Cadillac Escalade IQ.
I have only seen the summary, so I do not know which models will receive the system, where it will work or how it will be priced. Timelines for driver assistance have often slipped, and they depend on testing and regulation as well as development. Stellantis is under pressure, with North American sales down 12 per cent in the third quarter and production suspended for several weeks at its Windsor plant.
For consumers, the main point is that advanced assistance features are becoming a competitive issue, with different companies offering different levels of capability. When shopping for a car with hands-free technology, find out exactly what it does, what conditions it needs, whether it requires a subscription and how it monitors the driver. Be cautious about marketing names. Watch for announcements of launch vehicles and any regulatory approvals as 2028 approaches.
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