GM ditches Cruise’s custom-designed driverless car

The Cruise Origin in 2020. | Image: Vjeran Pavic / The VergeGeneral Motors told reporters on Tuesday that it has indefinitely suspended production of its self-driving Cruise Origin robotaxi, reports The New York Times. The company will refocus on...

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Jul 23, 2024 - 21:01
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GM ditches Cruise’s custom-designed driverless car

General Motors told reporters on Tuesday that it has indefinitely suspended production of its self-driving Cruise Origin robotaxi, reports The New York Times. The company will refocus on using the Chevy Bolt EV, which Cruise has already been using. A modified version will go into production next year.

The Origin created “regulatory uncertainty” owing to its design, GM CEO Mary Barra said in her letter to shareholders today. It was to be purpose-built for self-driving, with no steering wheel or pedals, no clear front or rear, and no driver; but estimates put each vehicle’s cost in the hundreds of thousands. The company said in September of last year that it was “just days away” from regulators approving the Origin for mass production.

The interior of a Cruise Origin prototype taken from the seats. Across a large open space is another set of seats, with a screen above them.

The Origin’s interior was solely for passengers.

Image: Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Then, a month later, Cruise’s robotaxis were banned in California after multiple incidents, including one where a driverless Cruise car hit and dragged a San Francisco pedestrian. Since then, GM, which has lost several billions on the company already, has had to keep Cruise afloat while it reorients.

Meanwhile, Cruise has been testing its Chevy Bolt EV robotaxis in Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix, using human safety drivers. The company resumed testing earlier this year with manually driven vehicles and no passengers.