General Motors’ Driverless Car Future Faces Challenges After Safety Incident
In a sprawling complex in Warren, Mich., General Motors is envisioning a future where driverless cars roam the streets, connected wirelessly to traffic lights and surrounding infrastructure to create a seamless and safe transportation system. This vision, known as the “0-0-0” plan – zero crashes, zero emissions, zero congestion – seemed promising until a recent incident threw a wrench in GM’s plans.
Last October, a driverless car operated by GM’s subsidiary, Cruise, hit and dragged a pedestrian in San Francisco, causing severe injuries. The incident led to a suspension of Cruise’s license in California and a series of setbacks for the company. Cruise voluntarily paused all operations, ousted executives, and laid off a quarter of its workforce in response to the public outcry over safety concerns.
Now, GM faces the challenge of rebuilding Cruise’s tarnished reputation and regaining trust in its driverless technology. The company has shifted its focus to prioritizing safety above all else, slowing down its development process to avoid further mishaps. The new leadership at Cruise, including President Craig Glidden and Chief Safety Officer Steve Kenner, are taking a cautious approach to ensure that safety remains the top priority.
Despite the setbacks, GM remains committed to Cruise and its driverless technology. The company has slashed Cruise’s budget, made key executive appointments, and resumed testing in Phoenix with human drivers. The goal is to eventually offer driverless ride-hailing services in one city by the end of 2024, pending improvements in handling edge cases and regulatory approval.
However, GM faces stiff competition from rivals like Waymo and Zoox, who have been operating driverless taxis with fewer incidents and greater commercial success. The road ahead for GM’s driverless future is uncertain, but the company is determined to overcome the challenges and deliver on its vision of a safer, more efficient transportation system.
