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General Motors Plans a New Self Driving Vehicle Technology
Mike Colagrossi
General Motors has launched a new self-driving technology unit, Cruise, with ambitions to fully resume autonomous rides later this year and start charging fares by early 2025. Based in San Francisco, Cruise is rebounding from a significant setback caused by a robotaxi accident last year, where a pedestrian was struck and dragged 20 feet.
“Our continued focus is on rebuilding trust with regulators and improving AV (autonomous vehicle) performance with supervised autonomous testing underway in Phoenix, Dallas and Houston,” a Cruise spokesperson said in a statement.
Urban Technology: GM’s original robotaxi, the “Origin” had a futuristically styled design as a boxy cube. But it proved to be too expensive, having no steering wheels or pedals and also unable to meet existing regulations. They’ve toned it down to use the cheaper Chevy Bolts.
It’s worth noting that Cruise has no revenue and has lost nearly $2 billion in the first half of the year.
Other Cruise-related developments include:
- GM Authority recently reported that CEO and Chair Mary Barra confirmed the deployment of the Cruise Origin robotaxi has been indefinitely paused due to regulatory uncertainty and higher per-unit costs, along with associated safety-related questions.
- GM has been attempting to address the Origin’s lack of manual steering controls or pedals by seeking an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Chevy bolts are in GM’s words “their path to scale,” which allows them to use a cheaper option with less regulatory hurdles. Although the Origin’s robotaxi was future oriented and interesting, it wasn’t scalable at this time.
State of the Industry: Micromobility
May Mobility, a new leader in autonomous vehicles AV technology and deployment, recently launched a program in Detroit. The company’s focus is designing AVs for those in need of better transit options.
Launched on June 20, the Accessibili-D service is a new initiative in partnership with Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) and the Michigan Mobility Collaborative (MMC). This free autonomous shuttle program is designed to enhance the lives of Detroiters aged 62 and older or those living with disabilities.
Key features of the program include:
- Free rides for eligible residents using three autonomous vehicles, two of which are wheelchair-accessible.
- 68 stops across 11 square miles of downtown Detroit, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Six-day-a-week operation, connecting people to essential services like health care, shopping, employment, and recreational activities.
Detroit, long a leader in automotive innovation, continues its legacy with this program. It’s not just about showcasing cutting-edge technology but also about meeting the real needs of the community.