GM Resumes Driverless Car Program Following Incident
General Motors is restarting its work on driverless vehicles after putting the program on hold for about a year. This decision comes after a serious incident where a cruise-operated Robotaxi struck and dragged a woman for approximately 20 feet.
In a statement to Fox Business, GM acknowledged the change in direction. They emphasized, “We are accelerating the development of autonomous driving technologies that can operate without aggressive human supervision.” The company is building a team of autonomous experts and is utilizing their LIDAR-equipped fleet to gather insights from real-world scenarios across the U.S., while trained safety drivers help in creating simulation models for further development.
According to sources close to the company, GM is shifting its focus to developing unmanned vehicles for personal use, moving away from the Robotaxi service.
Focus on Personal Vehicles
Reports suggest that the initial phase will involve creating a hands-free driving experience with human presence inside the vehicle, but ultimately, GM aims for fully autonomous cars that can drive empty. Sterling Anderson, who previously worked as Tesla’s Autopilot chief, joined GM this year and reportedly discussed these plans during a meeting with employees on August 6th. He stated that “autonomy is the future” and mentioned plans to form a team that includes former cruise employees and new talent to address future projects.
GM had suspended its production of autonomous vehicles based on cruise technologies last year as they shifted their focus toward addressing concerns with problematic units. In a meeting with shareholders in July 2024, GM CEO Mary Barra noted that the company would streamline its efforts by concentrating on the next generation of Chevrolet Bolts rather than pursuing cruise origins, which had been challenged by regulatory uncertainties and a unique design.
Workforce Reduction Amid Safety Concerns
To compound challenges, GM’s cruise division has recently cut 24% of its workforce and let go of nine executives in response to ongoing safety probes related to the Robotaxi incidents. In January 2024, GM revealed plans to cut its cruise expenditure in half—around $1 billion—as part of its reopening strategy after last year’s incident.
Following an investigation into the October 2023 crash, which involved the woman being dragged by a cruise robotaxi, GM conducted an analysis linking technical failures to the incident. This setback has led to a temporary cessation of unmanned operations. It has also invited scrutiny from the Department of Justice.
