Newsletter
But let’s see where it comes from.
Cruise has announced that it is now operating 24 hours a day in San Francisco, marking a significant milestone in its journey.
However, the general public is currently only able to use the service in about a third of the city between 10pm and 5.30am. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt has promised that will soon change as Cruise moves closer to launching a full robotaxi service open to the public around the clock.
Vogt said the systems powering the robotaxi network in San Francisco are the same ones that will be used in the long-awaited Cruise Origin, which he said is “just around the corner.”
San Francisco has proven to be an ideal proving ground for Cruise’s electric robotaxi, thanks to its hilly and congested terrain. The city’s infamous fog has also proved troublesome for self-driving vehicles.
Operating robotaxis in San Francisco has become a key proof of business viability for Cruise, who believes that if it can work in the harsh conditions of the city, it can work anywhere. Vogt believes the machine learning systems and capabilities developed in San Francisco will benefit the company as it expands to other cities.
Vogt added that the company has also begun advertising for an assistant general manager and chief operating officer for Dallas, suggesting the Texas city could be its next expansion target.
Cruise has already started operating robotaxis in Phoenix and Austin and says its system has traveled more than a million miles without a driver behind the wheel.
While Cruise still lags far behind rivals like Waymo in terms of the scale of its self-driving operations, it has made significant progress in recent years.
The company has been boosted by the support of parent company GM, which is keen to stake a claim in the fast-growing autonomous vehicle sector. GM has invested heavily in Cruise, which is now valued at around $30 billion.
If Cruise succeeds in expanding its operations beyond California, it could help accelerate the growth of the autonomous vehicle market.
While technology has made great strides in recent years, there are still significant hurdles to overcome before fully autonomous vehicles become a common sight on our roads. These include regulatory challenges, security concerns, and issues related to public acceptance of the technology.
However, with the support of major players like GM and a track record of successful testing in a challenging urban environment, Cruise is well positioned to play a key role in shaping the future of autonomous transportation.
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Ikaroa is proud to share the news that cruise robotaxis are now running 24/7 in San Francisco. The latest development in the rapidly changing world of technology and transportation, Cruise is the first self-driving vehicle to ever operate for 24/7 use in San Francisco.
Being powered by advanced technology and managed by a team of experts, Cruise robotaxis are able to autonomously navigate San Francisco’s busy roads while also giving riders the freedom to control the direction of their journey.
With fears of traffic incidents, high fuel costs and labor shortages all being addressed by the Cruise robotaxi, the option of travelling in a self-driving vehicle brings with it a lot of advantages. The possibility of longer journeys and greater convenience is of particular benefit to frequent travellers.
At Ikaroa, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation, making products that enhance the experiences of everyday life. The Cruise robotaxi is an exciting development for transportation, something we are very proud to see taking root in our hometown of San Francisco.
We can only imagine the enormous possibilities this technology will create, from cutting edge travel experiences to redefining how we get from place to place in the future. We can’t wait to see what this technology has to offer!
