General Motors (GM) has secured a patent for a new automated launch control technology designed to make drag racing starts more precise. The proposed system uses cameras to track the starting lights, commonly called the Christmas Tree, and prepares the vehicle to launch at the right moment when the signal turns green.
The patent, numbered US 12,780,203, was granted on November 3, 2026. Titled Methods and Systems for Coordinating Launch Control for Vehicles for Racingthe application was initially filed in January 2025 and published in July 2026.
According to the patent, cameras mounted on the vehicle will capture the starting-light sequence. Special software will analyse the images and determine the appropriate launch timing. The system will then coordinate important vehicle functions, including brake pressure, engine torque and throttle operation.
How Does GM’s Automatic Launch Control Technology Work?
The proposed system begins monitoring the starting lights once the vehicle reaches the drag strip’s starting line. It can prepare the car for launch before the green signal appears.
After the driver releases the pedals, the technology takes control of the launch process. It maintains the required brake pressure while building engine torque, then coordinates the braking and throttle inputs to move the vehicle forward at the calculated moment.
This means drivers may no longer need to manually balance the accelerator and brake or judge the exact moment to start. The camera-based system is designed to manage both timing and vehicle controls.
If developed for practical use, the technology could make accurate drag racing launches easier, particularly for less experienced racers. However, GM has not announced any plans to introduce the system in a production vehicle.
System Can Identify Pro Tree and Sportsman Tree Starting Formats
An important feature of the patented technology is its ability to recognise two widely used drag racing starting-light formats: Pro Tree and Sportsman Tree.
In the Pro Tree format, all three amber lights switch on together. The green light follows after 0.4 seconds, making the driver’s reaction time particularly important.
The Sportsman Tree uses a different countdown. Its amber lights illuminate one after another, with a gap of half a second between each stage before the green light appears.
GM’s proposed system can identify which starting sequence is being used and adjust its launch calculations accordingly. Rather than waiting for the green light and reacting afterward, the software is designed to predict its arrival by analysing the sequence of lights.
Will GM Introduce This Technology in Production Cars?
For now, the patent only describes GM’s proposed method of automating drag racing launches. The company has not confirmed whether the technology will eventually be used in production vehicles or which models could receive it.
GM has previously explored technologies intended to reduce the amount of manual input required from drivers. These include active aerodynamic systems and camera-related software updates delivered over the air.
However, receiving a patent does not necessarily mean that a technology will become commercially available. Whether GM’s automated drag racing launch system reaches a production vehicle remains uncertain.