Due to safety concerns, California has suspended GM Cruise’s autonomous driving trial permit within the U.S.
Cruise is currently not operating its shuttle, Cruise Origin, but is running a Chevrolet Bolt EV equipped with additional sensors. The California authorities pointed out that Cruise misrepresented the safety of its technology.
This decision came after several accidents related to Cruise’s autonomous driving technology. In August, a Cruise robotaxi collided with a fire truck rushing to a scene despite the green traffic light. A few weeks later, despite a green light, a minor collision occurred with a pedestrian approaching in front of the robotaxi. The system tried to avoid the pedestrian and brake but made contact with the pedestrian at 1.24 miles per hour.
The most recent known accident occurred in early October. After a collision with another vehicle, a female pedestrian appeared thrown in front of the approaching robotaxi. Despite immediate braking, the vehicle could not stop, and the woman was trapped under the vehicle. Analysis suggests that the robotaxi likely didn’t recognize this. As a result, the vehicle (as programmed) stopped and dragged the trapped woman for a few yards.
GM Cruise and Google Waymo received approval last summer to use unmanned shuttles throughout the San Francisco metropolitan area. Waymo is not affected by this decision and can continue using its vehicles. As GM Cruise faces challenges in setting up a joint venture for Cruise services with Honda in Japan, it faces a challenge.
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