Modern software-defined EVs offer a lot of advantages. They are simpler to build, faster to design, and easier to update with helpful software features. They enable things like Sentry Mode in Teslas and Pet Mode in Rivians. They get meaningful over-the-air updates and offer cutting-edge driver assistance features. These benefits, popularized in common consciousness by all-electric brands in the U.S. and China, are increasingly coming to a new audience: gas vehicle buyers.
General Motors marks the latest example. It announced on Wednesday that its next-generation electrical and compute architecture is moving to the most important functions to a single, centralized “Central Compute Unit.” It manages autonomous driving, in-car AI functions, and powertrain management. The key thing is that this new platform will support both gas and electric powertrains.
