California Halts GM Cruise Self-Driving Cars Over Safety Concerns
California Halts GM Cruise Self-Driving Cars Over Safety Concerns
General Motors' Autonomous Electric Bolt EV, the Cruise Av, showcased in Detroit, Michigan,USA, 2019
The state of California in the United States has taken the decision to suspend the testing of General Motors' (GM) Cruise self-driving cars due to escalating safety concerns following a series of accidents and mishaps.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) made the announcement, stating that it had suspended both the deployment of GM self-driving vehicles and the issuance of driverless testing permits. This move adds to the growing list of regulatory agencies expressing doubts about the safety of autonomous vehicles.
The general public has had mixed reactions to self-driving cars, with some embracing them as an exciting technological advancement and others viewing them as a nuisance or potential hazard.
The suspension comes in the wake of a string of accidents involving Cruise vehicles, posing a significant setback to GM's ambitions in the autonomous vehicle industry. Cruise, in response to the suspension, announced a "pause in operations" in San Francisco.
Major automakers like GM have invested heavily in the potential of self-driving cars, envisioning them as a pivotal part of the industry's future. However, challenges in gaining public trust and addressing concerns from government agencies have hindered their progress.
Previously, GM had labeled Cruise as a "giant growth opportunity" and forecasted that it would generate $50 billion in annual revenue by 2030. However, the company reported a loss of over $720 million on Cruise in the third quarter of this year.
One of the incidents that contributed to the suspension involved a hit-and-run accident in San Francisco on October 2. A woman was struck by a car, causing her to be pushed into the path of an oncoming autonomous vehicle operated by Cruise. The company claimed that the car "braked aggressively to minimize the impact" but remained stationary on top of the woman until paramedics arrived.
Despite such incidents, GM's CEO, Mary Barra, has consistently argued that self-driving cars have a better safety record compared to those driven by humans. The suspension in California reflects the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety and public acceptance of autonomous vehicles.
