Cruise's Comeback: Robotaxi Testing Set to Resume in Houston and Dallas

Quincy Jon, Tech Times 23 February 2024, 01:02 pm

General Motors Co.'s Cruise autonomous driving unit is reportedly preparing to resume robotaxi testing in the coming weeks and is looking into potential locations in Houston and Dallas after stopping its fleet last year.

A Bloomberg report cited information from sources with knowledge of the situation that Cruise LLC is in talks with regulators in many metropolitan regions, including Texas, to restart safety driving testing on public highways. Before the October safety suspension, Cruise had a large presence in San Francisco and smaller businesses in Austin, Houston, and Phoenix.

Rebuilding Public Confidence

Cruise is rebuilding public trust after a vehicle hit and dragged a person in San Francisco. Regulators accused Cruise of hiding vital video and event information, suspending its California license. In response, Cruise fired key executives and hired a new chief safety officer. TechTimes reported that GM has also initiated significant cost-cutting measures for Cruise.

Cruise spokesperson Pat Morrissey noted that the deployment has no timeframe, and the firm wants to restart in one city with manually driven cars and supervised testing as soon as feasible after rebuilding regulators and public confidence.

(Photo : JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images) A box placed on the LIDAR scanner of a robotaxi (L) disables it across from another disabled robotaxi (R) in San Francisco, California on July 11, 2023.

Due to its suspension in California, Cruise has difficulty restarting operations in San Francisco. Its return strategy centers on Texas, which has lax autonomous car restrictions.

Safety drivers are being deployed in Houston while Cruise's resurrection attempts continue. Testing may begin in the coming months. The launch city is still being decided as Cruise works with authorities and local leaders to ensure a good testing response.

In contrast to its previous rapid expansion approach, Cruise is proceeding cautiously as it prepares to resume testing on public roads, focusing on rebuilding trust. The company, which had initially aimed for operations in a dozen cities, is now addressing past communication breakdowns and investing in additional training for safety drivers to enhance its autonomous driving technology.

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Under former CEO Kyle Vogt, who resigned in November, Cruise had ambitious revenue targets, aiming for $1 billion next year and $50 billion by 2030. These aligned with GM CEO Mary Barra's broader goal to double total revenue to $280 billion by the end of the decade. However, these targets face uncertainties amid slowing electric vehicle sales growth and Cruise navigating challenges on the path to revival.

Waymo's Extension in LA and San Francisco Halted

Meanwhile, the California Public Utilities Commission suspended Waymo's application to extend its robotaxi services in parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco's peninsula until June 19, citing mounting safety concerns surrounding autonomous vehicles.

The commission has "suspended" Waymo's application "for further staff review," according to a notification posted on its website.

Waymo, already operational in San Francisco and Phoenix, submitted the expansion request on January 19, expressing its commitment to collaboration with policymakers, first responders, and community organizations for the launch of its ride-hailing service.