GM Relaunches Self-Driving Car Program After Yearlong Pause Following Cruise Robotaxi Crash

Date:


General Motors is revving up its driverless vehicle ambitions once again more than a year after halting production of the Cruise Origin robotaxi in the wake of a serious crash that left a pedestrian injured.

The automaker confirmed on Monday that it is officially restarting work on autonomous technology, but this time with a different target in mind: personal self-driving cars rather than commercial ride-hailing fleets.

GM autonomous vehicles

“We’re accelerating the development of autonomous driving technology capable of operating without active human oversight, which includes building a team of autonomy experts,” GM said in a statement.

“Our LiDAR-equipped fleet is logging nationwide miles across the country, with trained safety drivers, capturing real-world insights to build simulation models that will guide development.”

Hands-Free Now, Driver-Free Later

Sources told Bloomberg the company’s immediate focus will be on creating vehicles that can drive hands-free and eyes-free while still having a human in the driver’s seat. Over time, the goal is a car that needs no one at the wheel.

The push is being led in part by Sterling Anderson, a former Tesla Autopilot chief who joined GM earlier this year. In a private employee meeting on August 6, Anderson reportedly described autonomy as “the future” and emphasized plans to recruit both former Cruise talent and new hires for the initiative.

From the Cruise Origin to the Chevrolet Bolt

GM autonomous vehicles

GM had originally envisioned the Cruise Origin as its flagship driverless taxi, but mounting regulatory hurdles and the fallout from a high-profile October 2023 incident — in which a Cruise robotaxi struck and dragged a woman about 20 feet forced the company to rethink.

CEO Mary Barra told shareholders in July 2024 that GM would be simplifying “their path to scale by focusing their next autonomous vehicle on the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt, instead of the Origin,” citing lower per-unit costs and a clearer regulatory pathway. She added that the change would help GM “optimize its resources.”

Financial and Reputational Setbacks

In January 2024, GM announced it would slash Cruise’s budget in half, a cut of about $1 billion, as it sought to rebuild the troubled division. The company had already paused the Origin program indefinitely and dismissed several top executives.

According to an internal analysis commissioned by GM, the 2023 pedestrian accident was caused by a series of technical failures, delivering a significant blow not only to Cruise but to the broader autonomous driving industry. The crash triggered a Justice Department investigation and renewed public scrutiny over the safety of driverless technology.


Cristiano Vaughn
Cristiano Vaughnhttps://news9miami.com/
Cristiano Vaughn is a global columnist and correspondent who writes at the cutting edge of world affairs, science, technology, business, and wellness. With a bold, future-focused lens, he explores how innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship are reshaping the global landscape—from United Nations initiatives to breakthroughs in health tech and ethical AI. As the Founder and CEO of Quantum Dynamics®, Vaughn leads the charge in quantum wellness technology, pioneering advancements in frequency, vibration, and cellular health that push the boundaries of human potential. His work in this space bridges science and well-being, offering readers a rare insider view into the future of health and energy medicine. Vaughn also serves as the CEO of Digital Impact®, a premier Silicon Beach digital agency known for fusing tech, storytelling, and data into powerful brand strategies. He holds the title of Honorary Ambassador of Communications and Technology Innovation for the Global Economic Sustainable Development Commission (GESDC), where he helps align emerging technologies with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. From geopolitics and sustainable development to the frontiers of quantum science and entrepreneurial leadership, Cristiano Vaughn’s column delivers clarity, credibility, and a powerful vision for what’s next.

COMMENTS

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

spot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA Founder, Killed in Utah Campus Shooting at 31

Conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point...

Hellfire Missile Bounces Off Mysterious Orb in Jaw-Dropping UAP Video Shown to Congress

Stunning footage leaves lawmakers demanding answers about technology beyond...

Pharma Panic: Senators Scream for RFK Jr. to Stop Informed Consent Threat to Vaxx Profits

Senators Close Ranks Against MAHA The Senate floor erupted this...

Eight Boaters Pulled From Sinking Vessel in Dramatic Miami Rescue

A routine day on the water turned tense Saturday...