Cruise Robotaxis’ Road to Redemption Will Start in Phoenix
After a tumultuous period following a hit-and-run incident involving one of its vehicles, General Motors’ self-driving Cruise unit is making a comeback. The company has halted operations nationwide and recalled its fleet of nearly 1,000 robotaxis. However, it’s now gearing up to resume testing in Phoenix, Arizona, marking the first step in its journey back to offering autonomous rides.
Cruise’s Return to Action in Phoenix
Cruise spokesperson Pat Morrissey announced that the company will be conducting testing in Phoenix to gather road information and create maps. This initial phase involves using human-driven vehicles without autonomous systems to validate Cruise’s self-driving technology.
Expansion Plans Beyond Phoenix
While Phoenix will be the starting point, Cruise intends to expand its testing to more cities before fully relaunching its services. The company was previously operational in cities like San Francisco, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Miami, and Phoenix before the incident. Now, Cruise is in talks with officials in 20 metropolitan areas to explore potential testing locations.
Future Prospects for Cruise
Following the mapping phase, Cruise robotaxis will progress to supervised self-driving runs with a human driver onboard for safety. This careful approach indicates that it might take some time before Cruise can generate revenue again, especially considering the significant losses it incurred last year. Despite these challenges, GM CEO Mary Barra remains committed to Cruise, with the company’s new CEO, Mo Elshenawy, at the helm.
Conclusion
Cruise’s decision to restart testing in Phoenix marks a significant step towards redemption for the self-driving unit. With a renewed focus on validating its technology and ensuring safety, Cruise aims to regain public trust and eventually resume its autonomous ride services.
FAQ
1. What led to Cruise suspending its operations?
Cruise suspended operations after a hit-and-run incident and allegations of withholding footage from the authorities.
2. Where will Cruise resume testing its robotaxis?
Cruise will begin testing in Phoenix, Arizona, before expanding to more cities.
3. How will Cruise validate its self-driving technology?
The company will conduct mapping and data collection using human-driven vehicles before transitioning to supervised self-driving runs with a human driver onboard.
4. What are Cruise’s future expansion plans?
Cruise is exploring testing opportunities in 20 metropolitan areas to scale up its operations beyond Phoenix.
5. Who is leading Cruise’s comeback efforts?
Mo Elshenawy, Cruise’s new CEO, is spearheading the company’s efforts to regain momentum in the self-driving industry.
