GM quits robotaxi business but others push on
After admitting, less than a month ago, that it lied to federal Investigators about one of its robotaxis dragging a woman in San Francisco as well as paying a $1.5 million dollar fine, General Motors is throwing in the towel on its Cruise robotaxi project.
San Francisco, California – After admitting, less than a month ago, that it lied to federal Investigators about one of its robotaxis dragging a woman in San Francisco as well as paying a $1.5 million fine, General Motors is throwing in the towel on its Cruise robotaxi project.
It’s a project that was suspended from California roads by the DMV after several incidents. Just like when answering machines, wireless phones and microwave ovens first appeared, robotaxis are having their detractors as well.
General Motors is getting out of the robotaxi business, even though its autonomous vehicle technology is considered one of, if not, the best systems, releasing this statement. “General Motors plans to realign its autonomous driving strategy and prioritize development of advanced driver assistance systems on a path to fully autonomous personal vehicles.”
“General Motors isn’t the first. It’s just the most recent,” said Professor Scott Moura, at UC Berkeley is an expert in autonomous vehicles. “The business model for pure robotaxi is difficult, especially for automotive manufacturers,” said Moura.
A General Motors Cruise self driving car, often referred to as a robotaxi, drives in front of the Ferry Building on the Embarcedero, San Francisco, California, August 17, 2023. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Professor Billy Riggs leads University of San Francisco’s AV team and lab. He says GM may be leaving the competition too soon. “If we think that is the trend, then what GM is really doing is leaving a lot of opportunity on the table,” said Professor Riggs.
A major concern for GM: few people have ever taken a robotaxi. “As people experience it, they will start to enjoy being able to relax, being able to check e-mail on their phones, being able to interact with colleagues.” said Moura. “Our research in our lab is showing when you expose people to a vehicle that has a technology like Cruise had, like Waymo has, they’re amazed and they’re acceptance level is amazing. The uptake is very quick,” said Riggs.
Nonetheless, Pew Researchers found that at the moment, about two-thirds of Americans say they would not ride in a driverless vehicle. “I do think there is a bit of hubris that is embedded in our inability to give up control and particularly to give up control to systems that actually improve our own human performance,” said Riggs.
Driverless vehicles are growing in robotaxis, commercial vehicles and personal cars. “The reason there’s so much froth around robotaxis is because the potential market is so big which and that gets investors super excited,” said Moura.
Their potential to reduce deaths and injuries. reduce accidents, improve traffic flow, allow freer public transit and personal travel for disabilities, as well as making long commutes effortless, are unlimited and would reduce insurance costs. “It is an incredible kind of evolution in technology. It really is just the beginning,” said Riggs.
The world showcase for robotaxi technology is very likely to be the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
