Autonomous taxicabs have faced challenging public perception in recent times. From driverless traffic jams to activists criticizing acts of vandalism against vehicles, both Cruise and Waymo encountered a rocky beginning in San Francisco. This led the authorities who had initially granted them unrestricted entry into the city to scale back their operations to prevent further backlash, at least temporarily.
Images and videos of another gridlock caused by Cruise’s robot taxis circulated on X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend. Unlike previous incidents mostly seen in San Francisco, this particular one didn’t transpire in California, but rather in Austin, Texas – another technology hub and the home base of Tesla.
Approximately 20 Cruise-operated Chevrolet Bolts were observed stuck along San Gabriel Street late on Saturday night. Some of the cars had crossed into the opposite side of the street, leading to a scenario where two Cruise vehicles were facing off, halting the flow of traffic even further.
The exact reason behind the traffic jam remains uncertain, though it’s not unusual for Cruise cars to get trapped, necessitating human intervention – also referred to as a Vehicle Recovery Event. The individual who shared the images and videos mentioned witnessing Cruise employees attempting to control the cars remotely to resolve the situation. A spokesperson hinted that the issue might have been linked to pedestrian activity, although the footage circulating on social media doesn’t depict a significant number of people present during the congestion.
“There was significant foot and vehicle movement on the street,” stated a Cruise representative in a communication to The Drive. “Our vehicles are primarily designed to prioritize safety – this includes exercising caution around pedestrians.”
The spokesperson added: “Cruise continually monitors its vehicle fleet, and they were made aware of a congestion incident on Sunday morning. The problem was addressed promptly, and all vehicles autonomously left the area. We regret any inconvenience caused.”
Local TV station KVUE also outlined a different incident from earlier in the week involving a Cruise car halted in an intersection. This occurrence caught the attention of Austin City Council Member Zohaib Qadri, who labeled both events as “problematic” and announced his intention to express safety apprehensions at the upcoming mobility council meeting.
This is not the first instance where Cruise cars have provoked the frustration of skeptical locals. Earlier in January, a driverless car was observed turning into a bicycle lane. In another scenario, vehicles were seen treating small residential areas as thoroughfares. While lawful, this behavior caused inconvenience for residents who informed KXAN that they witnessed up to 25 cars in a span of 20 minutes.
According to Cruise, the cars are limited to a maximum speed of 25 mph, restricting their routes to specific roads – such as those within residential areas. However, speed is not the only complaint.
The vehicles have also got caught in crosswalks, at traffic lights, in intersections, and have even engaged in stand-offs with other Cruise vehicles. If you browse the r/Austin subreddit, you’ll quickly witness how the trial of self-driving cars has tested the patience of the local community.
“There’s no municipal or county authority overseeing their activities,” mentioned Judge Andy Brown of Travis County. He previously recounted an incident from a KXAN report where his vehicle unexpectedly halted during a robotaxi ride. “The absence of human oversight during this testing phase is worrying to me.”
The city council members lack jurisdiction, and the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department has limited power to prevent Cruise’s operations within the city. In a recent memo, the department acknowledged that “Texas cities are unable to regulate autonomous vehicles” due to state law preemption.
Despite this, residents continue to raise issues about blocked intersections and disruptions to emergency services. The department has sought advice from corresponding entities in Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
“Perfection is not within our reach,” stated Michael Staples, the General Manager for Cruise in the Austin region, to KXAN. “There may be instances where the vehicle encounters uncertainty and defaults to the safest action, which is pulling over.”
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