Uber announced on Thursday that it will begin integrating Cruise autonomous vehicles into its ride-hailing platform starting in 2024. The collaboration includes a “dedicated number” of Chevy Bolt-based autonomous vehicles, marking a significant step in Uber’s ongoing efforts to expand its autonomous vehicle options.
According to Uber, once the service is launched, riders who request a qualifying ride may be offered the option to have their trip fulfilled by a Cruise autonomous vehicle. This move is part of Uber’s strategy to provide a broader range of transportation options while leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the rider experience.
As of June 2024, Cruise has resumed supervised autonomous driving in key cities such as Phoenix, Houston, and Dallas. Additionally, Cruise continues its testing efforts in Dubai, showcasing the company’s global reach and commitment to refining its autonomous driving capabilities.
The deal between Uber and Cruise comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of autonomous vehicles. On Wednesday, Cruise, a division of General Motors, resolved a nearly two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into a “hard braking” issue. The probe concluded with a recall of nearly 1,200 robotaxis in Cruise’s fleet, aimed at installing new software designed to enhance the vehicles’ perception capabilities.
However, Cruise’s challenges are not limited to technical issues. The company has been under active investigation by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission since October last year, following an incident in San Francisco where one of its robotaxis ran over a pedestrian. This incident has added to the ongoing debate about the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles on public roads.
Despite these challenges, a June 2024 study published in New Scientist found that autonomous vehicles are generally safer than human-driven cars, though the study highlighted specific risks related to lighting conditions and the complexities of making turns.
Uber’s partnership with Cruise represents a bold move into the future of transportation, one that could redefine urban mobility. As both companies navigate the technical and regulatory hurdles ahead, the rollout of autonomous vehicles on Uber’s platform will be closely watched by industry insiders and the public alike.
