Cruise Launches First Driverless Robotaxi Rides in San Francisco
Cruise officially deploys autonomous vehicles in San Francisco without a human driver, initially offering free rides to employees and select members of the public. The service currently operates only at night due to state permit restrictions.
Cruise kicks off its first driverless robotaxi service in San Francisco, allowing employees and select members of the public to ride in autonomous vehicles without a human behind the wheel. Co-founder and president Kyle Vogt takes the inaugural ride in a vehicle nicknamed Sourdough, sharing his excitement on social media after summoning the empty car through the Cruise app. Passengers currently ride for free while the company navigates the final stages of regulatory approval.
The company operates these driverless vehicles under strict conditions set by a recent permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Rides are only available between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and the autonomous cars travel at a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour. This permit allows Cruise to charge for delivery services, but it explicitly prohibits the company from collecting fares for ride-hailing trips just yet.
To launch a fully commercial ride-hailing business, Cruise still needs to secure a separate permit from the California Public Utilities Commission. General Motors CEO Mary Barra expresses confidence that Cruise will begin charging for robotaxi and delivery services by next year. Until the company applies for and receives that final regulatory approval, the driverless fleet continues to provide free, late-night transportation around the city.