The article discusses the challenges faced by General Motors’ (GM) self-driving car unit, Cruise, in its race to launch a robotaxi service before Tesla. Despite receiving a permit to operate driverless taxis in San Francisco, Cruise has encountered issues such as software glitches and safety concerns. The company has delayed the launch of its robotaxi service multiple times, missing its initial target of 2019. Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has set an ambitious goal of launching a robotaxi service by 2024, although experts are skeptical about this timeline. The article highlights the intense competition in the autonomous vehicle industry and the significant technical and regulatory hurdles that companies like Cruise and Tesla must overcome to make robotaxis a reality. It also emphasizes the importance of safety and reliability in gaining public trust and regulatory approval for driverless vehicles.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/robotaxis-general-motors-cruise-problems-tesla-elon-musk-2024-12