Cruise to relaunch driverless service in Phoenix, after safety enhancements

General Motors’ self-driving car subsidiary, Cruise, is preparing to relaunch its driverless robotaxi service in Phoenix, Arizona. Following a hiatus due to an incident in San Francisco, Cruise has focused on enhancing its safety protocols and performance standards. 

The company announced its plans to begin supervised autonomous driving in Phoenix on Tuesday. This decision underscores Cruise’s commitment to safety and determination to resume operations in a controlled and secure manner. 

Cruise’s preparations for the restart include:

• Rigorous safety procedures.
• The hiring of a new chief safety officer.
• Ongoing updates to its autonomous driving systems.

These efforts have been complemented by mapping and data collection activities in Phoenix, carried out with human drivers at the wheel. The aim is to validate the safety and performance of Cruise’s autonomous vehicles before progressing to driverless deployment.

With a focus on safety and the successful relaunch of its driverless service, Cruise aims to regain public trust and confidence. The company’s strategic moves align with General Motors’ commitment to Cruise’s long-term success, even as it navigates leadership changes and adjusts spending plans for the future.

The decision to restart comes after Cruise’s CEO and Chief Product Officer resigned, and GM announced reduced spending on Cruise operations for the future. Despite these changes, GM remains committed to Cruise’s success, emphasizing safety and financial viability as top priorities.