Cruise Launches First Driverless Robotaxi Rides in San Francisco
Cruise begins operating fully driverless robotaxis in San Francisco for employees and select members of the public at no charge. The company navigates strict state permitting rules as it works toward a commercial launch next year.
Cruise launches a fully driverless robotaxi service in San Francisco, making it the first time the company operates its autonomous vehicles without a human in the front seat. Cruise co-founder and president Kyle Vogt takes the inaugural ride in a vehicle named Sourdough, using the Cruise app to summon the empty car before pressing a button to start the trip.
The service is currently available to Cruise employees and select members of the public who do not pay a fare. Under the terms of a driverless deployment permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the company only operates these vehicles between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.
Cruise still needs a final permit from the California Public Utilities Commission before it can charge passengers for ride-hailing services. Until the company applies for and receives that approval, these nighttime driverless rides remain a free testing milestone as Cruise works toward commercial operations next year.