Cruise Launches First Driverless Robotaxi Rides in San Francisco
Cruise operates fully driverless robotaxis in San Francisco for employees and select members of the public at no charge. The service runs overnight under a strict state permit while the company prepares for a future commercial launch.
Cruise officially launches driverless robotaxi rides in San Francisco, marking a major milestone for the General Motors subsidiary. Employees and select members of the public now have the opportunity to ride in autonomous vehicles that operate completely without a human driver in the front seat. Cruise co-founder and president Kyle Vogt takes the inaugural trip in a vehicle named Sourdough, sharing his excitement on social media about the historic late-night ride.
The company operates these driverless vehicles under strict conditions outlined by a recent permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Rides only occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and the autonomous cars maintain a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour. While this permit allows Cruise to charge for delivery services, it prevents the company from collecting fares for ride-hailing trips.
Passengers currently do not pay for their robotaxi experiences while Cruise prepares for its commercial debut. GM CEO Mary Barra recently expresses confidence that Cruise will begin charging for driverless ride-hailing and delivery operations next year. To achieve that goal, the company still needs to secure a final permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, an application it has not yet submitted.