Uber is set to integrate driverless rides into its platform through a strategic alliance with Cruise, which is owned by General Motors (GM). The companies have signed a contract this week, paving the way for the introduction of autonomous ridesharing services starting next year. The service will utilize Chevy Bolt electric vehicles equipped with Cruise’s advanced autonomous driving technology.
Once operational, Uber riders will have the option to select a Cruise vehicle through the Uber app. “Cruise is on a mission to leverage driverless technology to create safer streets and redefine urban life,” stated Cruise CEO Marc Whitten in a press release. “We are excited to partner with Uber to bring the benefits of safe, reliable, autonomous driving to even more people, unlocking a new era of urban mobility.”
Details of the rollout remain unclear
While the partnership is poised to revolutionize urban transportation, specific details about the deployment timeline and operational strategy remain undisclosed. This announcement represents the latest development in the competitive field of driverless vehicles. Cruise’s announcement comes as it seeks to re-establish its presence in the market following a previous incident involving a pedestrian. The company had to halt operations temporarily after a pedestrian was dragged 20 feet by one of its vehicles, which had initially been struck by a human-driven car.
Uber, too, has had a troubled history with self-driving technology. The company abandoned its own autonomous vehicle project after a fatal incident in 2018, where a woman riding a bicycle in Tempe, Arizona, was struck and killed by an Uber self-driving car. In the broader landscape of autonomous vehicles, Waymo, a competitor to Cruise, is already offering 100,000 paid rides across San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
The company is also eyeing expansion into Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Cruise continues to test its autonomous vehicles in Phoenix, Dallas, and Houston. The partnership between Uber and Cruise signifies a major step forward in the evolution of urban mobility, as both companies work towards making driverless rides a mainstream reality.