General Motors-backed robotaxi firm Cruise announced a partnership with ride-hailing platform Uber on Thursday, with plans to offer autonomous vehicles to Uber riders starting next year. This collaboration marks Cruise’s attempt at a comeback after facing setbacks, including a major accident in San Francisco last year that led to a temporary halt in operations. The partnership will allow Uber users to select a trip using a Cruise autonomous vehicle, providing them with a new and innovative transportation option.
Uber has been testing driverless cars in Phoenix since last year through a partnership with Alphabet’s Waymo. However, Cruise’s partnership with Uber signifies a significant step forward in the autonomous vehicle industry, as Cruise aims to regain its presence on U.S. roads. The company recently resumed testing with safety drivers as it works to address safety concerns and gain approval from state and federal officials.
In a move to address safety issues, Cruise agreed to recall nearly 1,200 robotaxis due to hard braking issues, as confirmed by the U.S. auto safety regulator. This decision has allowed Cruise to close a probe into the matter, demonstrating the company’s commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of its autonomous vehicles.
The partnership between Uber and Cruise comes at a time when Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to unveil plans for a robotaxi product in October. This announcement highlights the growing competition in the autonomous vehicle market, as companies strive to commercialize this technology and offer innovative transportation solutions to consumers.
Despite the challenges faced in commercializing autonomous vehicles, Uber remains optimistic about the potential of this technology. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized Uber’s unique position to offer value to AV players looking to deploy their technology at scale. The increasing number of trips by self-driving vehicles on Uber’s platform, including partnerships with companies like Waymo and Waabi, reflects the growing interest and adoption of autonomous vehicles in the transportation industry.
Overall, the partnership between Cruise and Uber signifies a significant development in the autonomous vehicle industry, as companies collaborate to offer innovative transportation solutions to consumers. With the continued advancements in technology and regulatory approvals, autonomous vehicles are poised to revolutionize the way we travel in the future.