The Future of Autonomous Taxis: Cruise's Expansion Plans
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Chapter 1: Cruise's Expansion in San Francisco
Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, is significantly broadening its autonomous taxi services in San Francisco. According to a tweet by CEO Kyle Vogt on April 25, 2023, the service will soon be operational 24/7 across the entire city. Vogt noted, "We will soon initiate full operations in other cities as well," highlighting the machine learning systems developed in San Francisco that have proven effective in various global markets.
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Section 1.1: Current Operational Limitations
Despite this promising expansion, there are still several limitations in place. Initially, only Cruise employees will have access to the full suite of services. Regular users can expect to book self-driving taxis primarily during nighttime hours, while daytime operations will be restricted to a smaller section in the northwest area of the city.
Subsection 1.1.1: Challenges Ahead
Vogt emphasized that there are numerous challenges yet to be addressed on the path to fully autonomous taxi services. He stated that the current expansion represents a "defining moment" for the business model. San Francisco serves as a microcosm of the complexities faced in major taxi markets, particularly those with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Section 1.2: Technology in Use
Up to this point, Cruise has been utilizing modified Chevy Bolt electric vehicles for its operations. However, Vogt mentioned that the technology could also be applied to the self-designed Cruise Origin, which received approval for public road testing in February 2023 after its introduction in January 2020.
Chapter 2: International Developments in Autonomous Vehicles
In Germany, various testing initiatives for self-driving buses and other transportation services are already underway. A test project featuring such vehicles at standard speeds is set to take place in the Rhine-Main area. An amendment to the Road Traffic Act passed by the Bundestag in May 2021 allows for autonomous operation in “designated areas,” provided a technical supervisor can intervene at any time to take control or execute alternative driving maneuvers.
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