Cruise Opens Driverless Robotaxi Service to San Francisco Public After SoftBank Investment
Cruise launches a public waitlist for its driverless ride-hailing service in San Francisco following a $1.35 billion investment from SoftBank Vision Fund. The late-night service operates for free in select neighborhoods as the company awaits final approval to charge for rides.
Cruise opens its driverless robotaxi service to the public in San Francisco after securing a $1.35 billion investment from SoftBank Vision Fund. This additional funding fulfills a previous commitment from SoftBank that hinges on the company reaching commercial deployment readiness. The General Motors subsidiary now invites anyone to join a public waitlist to experience the autonomous vehicles without signing a non-disclosure agreement.
The initial driverless service operates completely free of charge during overnight hours from 11 pm to 5 am. Cruise limits these autonomous Chevy Bolt rides to specific streets within the Haight-Ashbury, Richmond District, Chinatown, and Pacific Heights neighborhoods. The company explains that this targeted nighttime approach allows it to start where it delivers the most impact and expand methodically over time.
Cruise holds nearly all necessary state permits to operate and carry passengers in driverless vehicles, but it still awaits a final permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to actually charge for rides. In the meantime, the company continues to build its Cruise Rider Community program by allowing employees to nominate members of the public to join the early rider pipeline alongside general waitlist signups.