Headline: Cruise Temporarily Halts Operations of Driverless Cars Following Suspension in San Francisco
Subtitle: Company aims to rebuild public trust by examining processes and tools
San Francisco, CA – Cruise, an autonomous vehicle company and subsidiary of General Motors, has announced that it will temporarily halt operations of its driverless cars across the United States. The decision follows the recent suspension imposed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on Cruise’s deployment of driverless cars in San Francisco.
The DMV’s investigation into a collision that occurred on October 2 involving a Cruise vehicle, prompted the suspension. The collision occurred when a hit-and-run driver struck a woman crossing the street against a red light, causing her to be knocked into the path of the Cruise vehicle.
The DMV determined that Cruise’s vehicles were “not safe for the public’s operation” and accused the manufacturer of misrepresenting safety-related information. As a result, Cruise has decided to reassess its processes, systems, and tools to operate in a manner that will earn public trust, and rebuild confidence in its driverless technology.
Cruise has assured that the halt in operations is not a response to any new on-road incidents. Supervised autonomous vehicle operations will continue, ensuring that the company’s commitment to providing safe transportation options remains intact.
While headquartered in San Francisco, Cruise also operates in Phoenix, Austin, and Houston. The temporary suspension of driverless operations affects all fleets across these locations.
Cruise has actively cooperated with state and federal regulators, sharing information including the full video of the collision. The company is conducting a comprehensive analysis to improve the autonomous vehicle’s response to rare events like the one that occurred.
As an industry leader in autonomous technology, Cruise aims to not only address the concerns raised by the DMV but also to ensure the highest level of safety for passengers and pedestrians. By examining their processes, systems, and tools, Cruise seeks to rebuild public trust and ensure that driverless cars are deployed in a manner that prioritizes safety above all else.
In the coming weeks, Cruise will work closely with regulators to address the concerns raised and implement necessary changes. The company remains committed to revolutionizing transportation and providing safe and reliable autonomous vehicles for the public.
