The Very Slow Restart Of G.M.'s Cruise Driverless Car Business
The Very Slow Restart of G.M.'s Cruise Driverless Car Business
General Motors' Cruise division, once considered a leader in the race to develop self-driving cars, has been struggling to regain its momentum after a fatal crash in 2021. The company has scaled back its ambitions, laid off staff, and delayed the launch of its commercial driverless ride-hailing service. Critics say Cruise's technology is not yet ready for widespread use, and the company faces an uphill battle to catch up to rivals like Waymo and Tesla.
Trouble on the Road
Cruise's troubles began in March 2021 when one of its self-driving test vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian in San Francisco. The crash raised serious questions about the safety of Cruise's technology and led to a temporary suspension of testing. The company has since resumed testing, but it is still operating under restrictions imposed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Scaled-Back Ambitions
In the wake of the crash, Cruise has scaled back its ambitions. The company had originally planned to launch a commercial driverless ride-hailing service in San Francisco in 2023. However, that launch has now been delayed indefinitely. Cruise is also laying off staff, with plans to cut its workforce by 8%.
Technical Challenges
Critics say Cruise's technology is not yet ready for widespread use. The company's self-driving cars have been involved in several other accidents, and there are concerns about the reliability of the software. Cruise is also facing competition from rivals like Waymo and Tesla, which have more experience in developing self-driving cars.
Waymo and Tesla
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been testing its self-driving cars for over a decade. The company has launched a commercial driverless ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, and it is planning to expand to other cities. Tesla, the electric car maker, has also made significant progress in developing self-driving technology. Tesla's cars are equipped with a suite of sensors and cameras that allow them to navigate the roads without human intervention.
The Future of Cruise
It is unclear what the future holds for Cruise. The company has a lot of work to do to catch up to its rivals. It also needs to regain the trust of regulators and the public. If Cruise can overcome these challenges, it could still become a leader in the self-driving car industry. However, the road ahead is likely to be long and difficult.
Conclusion
The very slow restart of G.M.'s Cruise driverless car business is a reminder of the challenges involved in developing and deploying self-driving cars. Cruise is a talented company with a lot of resources, but it faces an uphill battle to catch up to its rivals. The future of Cruise is uncertain, but it is clear that the company has a lot of work to do if it wants to achieve its goals.