Title: Cruise to Reduce Robotaxi Fleet Amidst Safety Concerns and Investigation
Word Count: 361 words
Cruise, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of General Motors, has announced a 50% reduction in its robotaxi fleet operating in San Francisco following a series of mishaps and collisions involving their self-driving cars. The move comes as the company aims to address public safety concerns and cooperate with the ongoing investigation led by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Among the recent incidents, there were reports of Cruise’s self-driving cars stalling at intersections and even colliding with a fire truck. These incidents have raised questions about the safety and impact of driverless vehicles in San Francisco. Critics argue that autonomous cars are dangerous and can potentially hinder the response time of first responders, while supporters advocate for their potential to revolutionize transportation and alleviate traffic congestion.
Cruise had recently launched a paid robotaxi service in San Francisco, successfully expanding their driverless operations to accommodate paying passengers. However, following the recent incidents, the DMV demanded an immediate reduction in Cruise’s active fleet until a thorough investigation is completed.
Cruise has agreed to comply with the request, limiting its fleet to a maximum of 50 autonomous vehicles operating during the day and no more than 150 operating during the evening. Eric Kennedy, a spokesperson for Cruise, was not available for immediate comment regarding the reduction in fleet size.
In a blog post addressing the incidents, Cruise’s San Francisco general manager identified multiple factors contributing to the accidents. These factors included the intersection’s challenging visibility due to surrounding buildings and the fire truck driving in the wrong lane. Cruise’s fleet has also encountered other incidents, such as vehicles getting stuck in concrete, an autonomous vehicle with a passenger being hit by another driver allegedly running a red light, and multiple instances of cars stalling and causing traffic delays outside a music festival.
The reduction of Cruise’s robotaxi fleet shines a spotlight on the ongoing debate surrounding the safety and consequences of driverless cars in San Francisco. As the investigation continues, both opponents and supporters will be closely watching the outcome, as the future of autonomous vehicles in the transportation industry may hang in the balance.
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