Cruise on Monday introduced its robotaxis will return to the highway for the primary time since final October, when the fleet was parked following an accident with a pedestrian in San Francisco.
The relaunch will happen in Phoenix, and solely two robotaxis will likely be in operation initially, in every case with a security driver behind the wheel.
Cruise began its service in Phoenix in 2023, and the corporate on Monday mentioned robotaxis will finally be deployed in different elements of Arizona, together with Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler.
The corporate hasn’t mentioned when it can resume operations in San Francisco, the primary metropolis the place its robotaxi service was launched. The town can also be the placement of Cruise’s headquarters.
Cruise has been beneath additional scrutiny because the accident, which noticed a feminine pedestrian thrown into the trail of considered one of its robotaxi after she was hit by one other car within the adjoining lane. The driving force of the opposite non-Cruise car fled the scene.
Cruise’s robotaxi braked exhausting to keep away from the influence however nonetheless got here into contact with the pedestrian. Following an preliminary cease, the robotaxi then continued for one more 20 ft in try to drag over, which Cruise mentioned was achieved to keep away from additional highway issues of safety. Nonetheless, the maneuver resulted within the robotaxi dragging the pedestrian.
The California DMV responded by pulling the allow that allowed Cruise’s robotaxis to function with out a security driver. Cruise adopted by ceasing operations of its robotaxis nationwide. Firm co-founders Kyle Vogt and Daniel Kan, who on the time had been serving as CEO and chief product officer, respectively, give up the subsequent month.
Normal Motors is the largest backer of the self-driving know-how startup, and the automaker, which provides autos for Cruise’s robotaxi fleets, has mentioned it stays dedicated to the enterprise. GM alone has invested near $6 billion in Cruise because the begin of 2020. Honda, Microsoft, and Walmart have additionally invested in Cruise.
