As the world of self-driving cars continues to march forward, Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company owned by General Motors, is bringing its robotic taxis to Seattle, Washington, and the nation’s capital, Washington, DC.
The rollout of Cruise’s automated vehicle technology marks an important step forward for driverless transport. By leveraging the infrastructure and resources of GM, as well as the data collected from years of testing in San Francisco, Cruise is ready to deploy its fleet of robotaxis in these two major cities.
The first of the robotaxis will arrive in Seattle by early 2021, with Washington, DC following in 2022. These vehicles will be streamlined and outfitted with the latest safety features, including Cruise’s proprietary Autopilot system, which helps the cars navigate the roads safely and efficiently.
In both cities, Cruise’s robotaxis will first operate in pre-defined ‘GeoFenced’ areas that are separated from other traffic. This will allow the cars to get used to the layout and flow of the city before being opened up to wider use. Riders inside the vehicle can use an app to request rides, similar to other ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft.
Moving forward, Cruise also plans to modify its self-driving vehicles so that they can be used on highways and in other areas outside the GeoFenced zones. This will unlock the cars’ potential for longer distances and will open up the service to a wider range of urban passengers.
But with the rollout of its robotaxis, Cruise is also looking ahead to the future. Leveraging the resources and experience of parent company GM, the company is developing its own self-driving system that will take safety, performance, and comfort to an even higher level. The vehicles will be able to communicate with each other wirelessly, meaning they can adapt to changing conditions in real time and respond quickly to new roads or obstacles.
Cruise’s robotaxis in Seattle and Washington, DC will bring the latest delivery of automated vehicle technology to two cities that already boast robust transportation systems. It may be a while before the cars are widely adopted, but Cruise’s entry into these cities is sure to revolutionize the future of personal transport.
