General Motors Co.’s Cruise autonomous driving division is poised to resume robotaxi testing in the upcoming weeks, with Houston and Dallas being considered as potential testing grounds. The move comes after the suspension of its fleet last year due to safety concerns, as reported by sources familiar with the matter.
Cruise LLC is engaged in discussions with authorities in various metropolitan areas, including the two Texas cities, regarding the recommencement of tests on public roads with safety drivers. Before the halt in operations, Cruise had a significant presence in San Francisco and smaller deployments in Austin, Houston, and Phoenix.
Following an incident in San Francisco where a Cruise vehicle struck a pedestrian, the company has been focused on rebuilding public trust. Measures include dismissing top executives, restructuring the workforce, and hiring a new chief safety officer. Cruise spokesperson Pat Morrissey emphasized the company’s commitment to rebuild trust before relaunching operations.
Texas, known for its permissive regulations on autonomous vehicles, is a focal point for Cruise’s comeback strategy. Efforts in Houston are particularly advanced, with plans to initiate testing in the coming months. However, the final decision on the launch city is yet to be made, pending discussions with regulators and local officials.
Cruise has taken a more cautious approach this time, investing in additional training for safety drivers and enhancing communication between drivers and engineers. The company aims to ensure comprehensive data collection to bolster its autonomous driving technology.
Restarting testing marks the beginning of Cruise’s journey to regain momentum. Former CEO Kyle Vogt’s ambitious revenue targets have been disrupted by the suspension, highlighting the challenges ahead as the company navigates a path back to its growth trajectory.