Cruise, the driverless car company owned by General Motors, has agreed to significantly reduce the number of vehicles it operates in San Francisco after one of its driverless taxis collided with a fire truck. The incident resulted in the injury of a passenger, prompting the California Department of Motor Vehicles to intervene.
Currently, Cruise has 400 vehicles on San Francisco’s roads, but in response to the safety concerns raised by the collision, the company has agreed to cut this number in half. During the day, only 50 vehicles will be operational, increasing to 150 at night. This decision marks a setback for Cruise, especially since it comes just a week after the California Public Utilities Commission voted to expand driverless taxi services, including those of Cruise and its rival Waymo.
Waymo, owned by Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has made significant progress in the driverless car industry and has been seen as a frontrunner. However, Cruise had been gaining momentum as well until this recent incident. Unfortunately for Cruise, this collision is not the only incident that has marred the company’s reputation in the past week.
Earlier, another Cruise vehicle became stuck in freshly poured concrete on a different city street. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of driverless vehicles, particularly as companies like Cruise and Waymo aim to expand their services to more cities and regions. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has been actively regulating and monitoring the safety of driverless cars to ensure public trust and safety.
Despite these incidents, Cruise has yet to respond to requests for comment. The company’s silence raises questions about its commitment to transparency and accountability. As the driverless car industry continues to develop, it is crucial that companies prioritize safety and address incidents promptly and openly.
This reduction in operational vehicles for Cruise serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks faced by the driverless car industry. While technological advancements have brought us closer to a future with fully autonomous vehicles, incidents like these highlight the need for continued testing, regulation, and improvements in safety measures. Only through diligence and transparency can driverless car companies gain and maintain public trust.
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