Cruise, a robotaxi specialist, has announced that it is restarting tests of its autonomous vehicles on the streets of Houston, Texas, after a series of troubling incidents last year prompted a nationwide suspension of testing. The company’s main backer, General Motors, has also pledged a further $850 million in investment in the robotaxi project.
The decision to resume testing in Houston comes after a 10-month hiatus, during which Cruise suspended its operations nationwide following a string of accidents involving its autonomous vehicles. The most serious incident occurred in San Francisco in October, when a female pedestrian was dragged along the street by a driverless Cruise car after she was thrown in its path following a collision with a human-driven vehicle. Although the woman survived, the accident prompted California to suspend Cruise’s operating permit in the state, leading Cruise to suspend testing across the country.
Cruise’s cautious approach to resuming testing in Houston is evident in its decision to initially deploy just three vehicles, which will operate with their autonomous systems disabled. Instead, the company will focus on gauging the response of human drivers on the same roads and helping them get used to seeing Cruise cars back on Houston’s streets. When ready, Cruise will begin “supervised autonomous driving,” in which the autonomous systems will function, but with a human behind the wheel ready to step in if required.
The decision to resume testing in Houston is a significant milestone for Cruise, which has struggled to regain public trust and confidence in its technology following a series of high-profile incidents last year. Despite the challenges, Cruise has reaffirmed its commitment to the autonomous vehicle sector, with GM’s support providing a significant boost to the company’s plans.
Cruise Resumes Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Houston After Nationwide Suspension
Cruise was founded in 2013 and has since raised more than $15 billion in funding, with GM providing more than half of that figure since acquiring the company in 2016. Despite the financial backing, Cruise has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a wave of executive departures and a major workforce reduction in 2022.
The resumption of testing in Houston represents a significant step forward for Cruise, but the company still faces significant challenges in regaining public trust and credibility in the autonomous vehicle sector. With GM’s support, however, Cruise is well-positioned to continue advancing its technology and eventually resume full-scale testing of its autonomous vehicles.
In addition to its focus on Houston, Cruise is also testing its technology in other cities, including Phoenix and Dallas. The company’s slow and steady approach to resuming testing reflects its commitment to prioritizing safety and minimizing the risk of accidents involving its autonomous vehicles.
Ultimately, the success of Cruise’s autonomous vehicle technology will depend on its ability to balance the need for public acceptance with the need for technological advancement. With GM’s support and a renewed focus on safety and testing, Cruise is well-positioned to make significant strides in the autonomous vehicle sector in the coming months and years.
