GM has unveiled plans to launch the first semi-automated car by 2017 as well as plans to launch the first car with V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) communications.
The company announced that in 2017 it will launch a new Cadillac CTS that'll come featuring a technology called 'Super Cruise'.
Essentially an advanced version of 'cruise control', 'Super Cruise' will allow the driver to take his/her hands and feet away from the controls on motorways and in slow moving traffic.
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors announced her plans for the future of driving via General Motors' own blog.
"Today, the dream of highly automated vehicles is not only possible, it is likely. And the debate about whether we can build them is no longer a question of if, but when."
'Super Cruise' will utilise many of the technologies that are already employed in high-end safety systems including short and long-range radar as well as optical sensors including cameras that can see around the vehicle.
While car companies have the technology to build self-driving cars there's often too much regulatory red tape involved to even make it feasible.
By simply enhancing the capabilities of a car's 'cruise control' function GM believes it can slowly start integrating its automated technology into actual road-legal cars.