--- title: "GM Wants Its Cars To Change Lanes for You Based on Nothing but Where You Look" date: "2026-01-19" modified: "2026-01-19" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-wants-its-cars-to-change-lanes-for-you-based-on-nothing-but-where-you-look" categories: - "Car Tech" - "GM News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Patents" - "Self-Driving Tech" --- # GM Wants Its Cars To Change Lanes for You Based on Nothing but Where You Look ![A sketch of a human head turning from GM's Eye Gaze lane-change patent application.]() *\GM\* We recently entered a new era of automated driver assist features that are not only clever enough to be useful, but smart enough to know when they are and aren't needed. And while such "Smart" driving aids are already starting to appear in some current luxury cars ([see the new BMW X3 and iX3, for example]()), GM wants to take it one step further and integrate that same tech into its semi-autonomous driving suite, allowing drivers to simply look where they want to go in order to prompt a lane change. The patent [application]() describes a system using an internal camera to stream video and monitor the "driver's" (using that term somewhat loosely here) face. Using eye movements, the system would be able to determine when and where the driver would like to change lanes, triggering the action within the self-driving suite. It's an interesting concept, I'll admit, and perhaps even one that would be fascinating to see implemented, but I'm struggling to identify a use case. After all, GM's own Super Cruise software [already knows how to pass slower traffic]() without relying on driver intervention at all. It simply identifies slower traffic ahead and queues the vehicle up to pass when it's safe and practical to do so. This? Well, check out the process flow: ![]() ![]() ![Excerpt from GM patent application for eye-based lane change system.]() *GM* All that, just go go around a slower car. Seems excessive, doesn't it? And it seems like an odd half-measure that would exist only to impress the occasional passenger, rather than proving itself useful every day. That said, I'm generally on board with anything that gives control back to the driver, and I'm curious to see what other uses GM can identify for similar tech. I suppose we'll have to keep our eyes open for more, eh? *Got a news tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com!* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()