Dash cams are a viable solution to a variety of different issues, and in fact, in many parts of the world, these devices are actually required equipment by insurance companies. Here in North America, however, dash cams have yet to really hit the mainstream, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot to offer the consumer. As such, it makes sense that GM should offer a dash cam mode in its vehicles.
For those readers who may not know, dash cams typically record a forward-facing view in front of the vehicle. Sometimes, vehicles also mount cameras around the perimeter of the vehicle to capture other angles. The devices can provide evidence in the event of an accident, as well as provide evidence when another motorist bumps into a vehicle that’s parked.
So, dash cams are definitely useful. Not only that, but GM has all the technology to make a dash cam feature work well straight from the factory. For example, the GMC Sierra HD is equipped with a range of cameras around the perimeter of the vehicle that capture upwards of 15 different angles, as GM Authority has covered previously.
So, with several GM vehicles already equipped with cameras, there’s really no reason to buy an aftermarket dash cam kit and deal with the wiring mess needed to get it working. Even better, the built-in cameras are able to record not only the front view, as would be the case for a traditional dash cam, but also the rear and sides of the vehicle – essentially, everything around the vehicle can be recorded.
Indeed, these camera systems are already propagating across all GM vehicles lines, and the video can be captured on an SD card, which is already equipped by vehicles with the camera views feature.
The logic on this is simple. The hardware is already in place, so really, all that’s needed to activate this feature for dash cam purposes and a 360-degree video capture feature is a software update.
Indeed, over the past few years, GM Authority has received a number of questions and comments about this kind of functionality. We think it’s time to make it a reality.
Do you agree? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GM technology news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
No, it’s not as easy as a software upgrade. The issue is that the camera system is safety critical (it freezes and you run over somebody) and subject to NHTSA regulations (grounds for a safety recall). One of the requirements set by law, for example, is that you see the backing view in no more than 2 seconds from shifting into reverse, which includes a cold start.
As a result, in nearly all cars, the camera system and video data is separated in hardware and software from the regular infotainment system. That avoids the issue of crashing and violating the 2 second rule, or else having the video freeze. Then throw in cybersecurity concerns since the Infotainment system is Internet connected.
If you look at dashcam (PDR) equipped GM vehicles, they have to use a separate SD card and reader that’s wired directly into the camera processor. The normal infotainment system, which has access to the USB and SD readers in the car, never sees camera video.
Dang, that was actually a super well thought out response.
I appreciate that as I was 100% yes they should, but after reading your comment, makes much more sense why they do not.
But also in theory then, they could just add an optional SD card reader for these vehicles that would read and save that “dash cam video” data seprately like on the Corvette and Camaro PDR systems with minimal changes no?
So sure, they can put a PDR-like technology in every car. The other way would be to go ahead and engineer read-only access to the cameras from the Infotainment system, BMW is one example with integrated dashcam and smartphone remote view. This might be done via a separate non-safety read-only dashcam output from the video box, and that likely requires more hardware.
I think integrated dashcams will become common. This all costs money, likely additional hardware, and takes engineering time. With the risk of semiconductor shortages, I can see why they’re not doing it now.
Thank you for the insight and explanation!
hasn’t any one else noticed the new NAV screen in the truck is to narrow in height and sit’s to low on the new car like dash GM has went to. Both of thoses issues are hard when your backing up a trailer , or having to keep looking down at screen. both Form and Ram’s screens are mounted much higher by 2 – 3 inchs.
Insurance companies would love this. We the consumer will pay for this. How much is the subscription fee going to cost after the free trial ends? Today automotive companies “offer” so many features and low and behold more of those “free” features expire and you the vheicle owner will have to pay subscription fees to have the feature continue. For example the yearly fee to keep your navigation system operational. You can buy a Garnin system and have lifetime map updates and directions. GM charges a yearly fee to keep the navigation system up to date after the free trial ends. So what will be the ongoing cost for this “dashcam” system?
Once the automotive industry and insurance companies figure this all out and how to make you pay the initial cost to have it include in your vehicle and how to charge you a recurring subscription fee it will become a reality.
All sounds good, BUT why can Tesla do it so simply?
gm is to cheap to offer dash cams and will only offer it after the rest of auto industry does it.
GM already offers built-in dash cams albeit only on some of its Cadillac models (no I’m not talking about PDR—specifically addressing “surround vision recorder”). Previously it was only the CT6, but CT5 and XT6 have also had it since their release in 2019. Not sure what’s stopping them from adding this feature to other models
Another commenter said GM is behind… considering only BMW and Tesla have similar features out of dozens of other brands, and only Tesla’s is worth mentioning, it’s apparent that GM WAY ahead. Tesla’s and Cadillac’s work similarly, but because Tesla is an EV, it can record long after the car has been parked and turned off. Cadillac records throughout your drive and if the alarm system is triggered. Yes, there’s room for improvement, but they’re still objectively ahead of 99% of the competition—just like super cruise.
Perhaps people didn’t know GM offered built-in dash cams because they don’t promote or market the feature. Cadillac has arguably the most intriguing features and history, but is treated like the red-headed step child compared to the other GM brands.
hasn’t any one else noticed the new NAV screen in the truck is to narrow in height and sit’s to low on the new car like dash GM has went to. Both of thoses issues are hard when your backing up a trailer , or having to keep looking down at screen. both Form and Ram’s screens are mounted much higher by 2 – 3 inchs.
No, but I noticed that you posted that twice with all the same errors.
Nobody cares Nate.
I think the dash cams on all vehicles would be great. I love the camera system that’s on my corvette having the front camera option.
Gm does have dash cam if you would do more research lol. It’s called PDR for Gm vehicles. Mainly on the performance luxury vehicles due to the cost of the feature. I have the pdr dash cam in my 2017 cts v3. I also work for gm haha.
similar in practice to the backup cameras that became mandated by law, so that is why we have them, a forward looking system with SD card would benefit the insurance industry and make sense, not a huge leap, yes some added engineering. and purchasing and hanging and wiring a forward looking camera is a pain. the anount of insurance fraud saved by forward looking cameras is huge.
I think Dash Cams should be standard safety equipment. With how people drive today and if you don’t have one and someone cuts you off and slams their breaks to turn or just be stupid it’ll be on you. You could have an intergrated dash cam front back and even in cab, but mainly front and rear view with all these crazy drivers. It’s like people got no sense. Or they want a new car if they get road rage and decide to break check you after they pull out in front of you.
I don’t know about every state but my state if you rear end someone without video evidence than it’s automatically your fault. I think that is unfair due to how stupid people drive today. In most cases yes that happens from the driver being distracted, but there are far too many cases of drivers doing that so you can total their car or they can get a nice check from your insurance.
I think they should also record inside the cabin. So someone texting can be prosecuted. I saw recently in my town traffic fatalities were up in 2021. They mention distracted driving but I am betting it is texting driving. Where is the campaign for texting/driving like mothers against drunk driving. At 2 in the morning, I worry alot about drunks. During the day I worry about texters.
I agree on the part about having a dashcam to record events that may be viewed after the fact. I do not agree with a full time live forward camera view. Not only would it be a crutch for many people’s already poor driving habits – it could be as distracting as a video game while driving.
Yes I agree wi to you but I’m talking about the recording not being there to view but to be there to record and pull it up when you need to
Dash Cam will cause most people to drive better, safer, take fewer chances if every driver knew their driving was being recorded. Records front, and back and while parked!
I just installed an after-market cash cam, and it has made a difference in my driving! Might it come to “haunt” me at some time in the future? Maybe, however, it might also save me at some time in the future.
I’ll take the risk!
People keep mentioning distractions. A dashcam is not a distraction. It is a recording device to give a record of something that has already happened. It does not need to be on screen. Just a memory card that you access with a smartphone while not in motion.
It makes sense to have, but I prefer one that is owned and controlled by me as opposed to one that on star can access. Or GM in any way.
Best to install an aftermarket unit and have personal control over the information
I think you’ll discover it is discoverable by your opponent’s lawyer in court.
I brought this very issue up on a Motorweek podcast a year ago. The question was asked of that week’s panel, and the only reason they could come up with why they’re not provided by manufacturers: privacy issue. I guess when you the driver take it upon yourself to install an aftermarket dash cam, any privacy issues fall on you/driver. I suspect if the dash cam is provided by the car manufacturer, the car manufacturer takes on that responsibility/legality.
I ended up hard wiring a Rove 4K and love it. I keep the screen off so as not to distract me. It’s gotten to the point that I don’t even notice/mess with it at all anymore, but it’s nice to know it’s there should I need it. And you’d think insurance companies would offer a discount of some kind for using a dash cam. Nope, not yet anyway.
you are on Public roads driving, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, they have traffic cams, and stores and 7-11 have them in full view.
All sounds good, BUT why can Tesla do it so simply?
Just give me a usb port up near the review mirror and I would be thrilled.
This is an absolute must.
It can be done on any Tesla, all you need is a properly formatted USB stick, and it records to it.
Why cant that be done? The cameras are on all the time aren’t they?
Seems silly they are there and you cant use them. I installed my own dash cam in my Tahoe.
DEALERS MARKING EVERTHING UP !!!! EX; HD 25000 .00 above msrp!!!!! GO FORD!!!! DASH CAM WOULD DEF BE OPTION TO GET!!
A couple of thoughts.
1. A dashcam does not need s screen. Probably should not have a screen. Should have the ability to save maybe the last 50 trips. If a trip is needed, the ability to download to a portable device or remove the SD card and transfer to a computer.
2. Could have a feature that would be “out with the old and in with the new” so the device would record over the oldest item and save the newest item.
3. Privacy. Well, we never know what the courts will do! If the information is needed from the dashcam, the device might need to be subpoenaed by the courts. Unless a driver decides to give the data on the device willingly. Similar to a cell phone???
4. I just had a dashcam installed that remotely connects to my iPhone to transfer a trip which then I can transfer to OneDrive and save to my personal filing system. NO SCREEN!
5. We all should be concerned about privacy as in OnStar or some other system looking at the information without permission or knowledge. On the other hand, we all should be concerned about doing the “right thing” when it comes to safety, and liability!
6. Might there be a time when the driver is “culpable”? Sure, no one is perfect. That is another risk of driving!
Just give us a micro usb or usbc port behind or on the side of the mirror.
Jim,
I understand what you are saying, an added distraction, I placed mine high up, and on the passenger side, so I don’t follow it. and cant.
As for privacy, you are in the public, on a public street. Video cameras are all around you. So are dash cams, security cams, traffic cams, etc.. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy when out in the public. You see iPhone interactions with police all the time, they cant prevent you from videoing an interaction with one. The dash cam is there to protect YOU the driver, to show what you did and did not do. There are hundreds of videos of scammers that try to say you hit them. I watched one from England last week when a guy pushing a motorcycle waited for the car to get close, and he jumped backwards onto the hood of a car, and made it look like the car hit them. Then in an instant a person appears on the side of the road, videoing him getting off the hood, and holding his back. When the driver got out and confronted them that he had the whole thing on dash cam, poof, they took off, running. Scams like that happen in the US all the time.
This is already available on the C8 Corvette. It should be available to all vehicles that have cameras installed.
I think it is a great idea, but GM needs to take care of their customers waiting for chips to be installed (Vehicle purchased in February and still waiting) before they start anything new! I am starting to research what it would take to start a class action suit against GM as I feel that by shipping new vehicles equipped with chips is a violation of fair business practices.
How about just supply the trucks sold? I ordered an SLT 3500hd duramax in November 2021 and still have no idea when I will see it.
They promise me I’m price protected as priced at order time, but if I get my brand new 2022 when the 2024s are coming out, I’ll probably be disappointed..
Yes, I own a high end GM pickup with all the cameras mentioned in this article. And Yes, I would like to see this option offered as an OME option. I do not cherish having to by an aftermarket dash cam. BUT…. After a 33 year career with General Motors starting out as a technician and ending as a Senior Project manager in GMs safety department, it never failed to amaze me the many times situations such as this seen so utterly stupid as to way its not pursued or in other case why did they do something so seemingly dump. Well, as in the very first comment mentioned “once you start to peel back the layers of the onion” to expose the numerous reasons for the decision, you barely start to see the complexity in such a seemingly simple situation. Many times this is exasperated by the fact as individuals were dealing with our personal cars, whereas GM is dealing with hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Unless you’ve lived it, it is extremely difficult to even begin to imagine the complexities to some very seemingly simple things.
My BMW automatically records all of the cameras (front, sides, and rear) in the event of a crash (20 seconds before and after the accident). You can also manually record all cameras by pressing a button next to the shift selector. It is built-in functionality and works perfectly. It’s just a matter of programming. BS to those arguing about having to have separate systems. If BMW can make it work, so can everyone else.
Just need two usb ports in the front and rear ceiling area. And a switch to decide on 12v constant or switched power. Simple.
Whether or not the option could be enabled with a software update, the spirit of the idea is sound and viable. Camera feeds can go to more than one “target” (a recorder vs the screen on the dash). There’s no reason why the feed from front & rear cameras can’t be recorded regardless of what function is being “used” or what gear the vehicle is in.