Cruise, a General Motors subsidiary that operates autonomous vehicles, is reducing its robotaxi fleet by 50% in San Francisco following multiple crashes involving its self-driving cars. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requested this action until an investigation is complete and Cruise takes necessary measures to enhance road safety. The incidents, which occurred throughout the past week, involved the self-driving cars stalling in intersections, with one collision involving a fire truck.
This reduction in fleet size is a setback for Cruise, as it recently started offering a paid robotaxi service in San Francisco, following approval from the DMV and Alphabet’s Waymo to expand driverless operations. The company operates with a waitlist and aims to provide 24-hour service to paying passengers. However, the accidents have fueled the ongoing debate in San Francisco regarding the safety and impact of driverless cars. Critics argue that they pose dangers and obstruct emergency responders, while proponents believe they offer innovative solutions for affordable and convenient transportation in the city.
The DMV is currently investigating the incidents involving Cruise vehicles. A spokesperson for the department stated that they are in contact with Cruise and law enforcement officials to gather facts. The DMV requested Cruise to promptly reduce its active fleet by half until the investigation is concluded and appropriate corrective actions are taken by the company to improve road safety.
Cruise has agreed to comply with the reduction, limiting its autonomous vehicles to no more than 50 during the day and 150 during the evening. In August, Cruise reported operating 300 cars at night and 100 during the day. The company has yet to comment on the matter.
Greg Dietrerich, Cruise’s San Francisco general manager, posted a blog on Friday addressing the recent incidents. He mentioned that the collision between a Cruise vehicle and a firetruck had multiple contributing factors, including poor visibility around the intersection due to nearby buildings. Dietrerich also claimed that the firetruck was driving in the wrong lane to bypass a red light. He assured that Cruise would continue collaborating with regulators and city departments to minimize the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
In addition to the collision with the firetruck, Cruise’s fleet was involved in other notable incidents. One vehicle reportedly got stuck in concrete, and another was struck by a driver while carrying a passenger. Cruise asserts that the other driver ran a red light in that specific incident. The company also faced complications last weekend when numerous Cruise vehicles stalled, causing traffic disruptions near an outdoor music festival.
As the investigation progresses, Cruise will work towards improving safety measures and addressing concerns raised by regulators and city departments. The outcome will have implications for the future of autonomous vehicle operations in San Francisco and the ongoing debate surrounding their integration into urban environments.