GM Exec Confirms Cruise Robotaxis Ready for Commercial Launch Next Year
General Motors CEO Mary Barra expresses strong confidence that Cruise removes human drivers from its vehicles in 2022 to launch commercial robotaxi services. The company stands just one state-level permit away from charging passengers for driverless rides in San Francisco.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra expresses strong confidence that Cruise removes human drivers from its vehicles by 2022 as it prepares to launch early commercial operations. This timeline aligns with previous guidance from Cruise CEO Dan Ammann and positions the company alongside other autonomous vehicle developers that are expanding their commercial services.
Cruise differentiates itself from competitors through its vertical integration with General Motors, which provides a seamless blend of technology, Ultium battery platform utilization, and large-scale manufacturing capabilities. The company recently secures a driverless deployment permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, bringing it incredibly close to legally accepting money for robotaxi rides.
The company waits for just one final approval from the California Public Utilities Commission before it starts charging customers for driverless rides in San Francisco. This positive autonomous news contrasts with GM's recent quarterly earnings report, which shows a decline in revenue and net income due to an ongoing global semiconductor shortage, though executives maintain a bullish outlook for the full year.