GM Eyes Future Robotaxi Service Despite Cruise Shutdown

General Motors (GM) is exploring a potential return to the robotaxi market, despite having discontinued its Cruise robotaxi business in 2024. The company's current strategy focuses on developing advanced autonomous driving technology for personally owned vehicles, a capability that its chief product officer suggests could eventually be adapted for driverless ride-hailing services.

Sterling Anderson, GM's Chief Product Officer and former head of Tesla's Autopilot program, indicated in an interview that the firm's ongoing development in personal autonomy could naturally lead to a robotaxi offering. GM aims to incrementally develop self-driving systems, initially targeting long-distance highway driving before expanding to urban and arterial roads. Anderson stated that as these systems mature and cover wider operational regions, they would mirror the capabilities required for a robotaxi service.

GM had invested over $10 billion into Cruise, a robotaxi startup acquired in 2016, before its shutdown due to regulatory challenges and a safety incident. Following this, GM redirected its resources towards enhancing its Super Cruise system, a hands-off, eyes-on driver assistance technology. The company reported that its customers have accumulated one billion hands-free miles using Super Cruise.

Looking ahead, GM plans to roll out eyes-off highway driving functionality in 2028, commencing with the Cadillac Escalade IQ. This strategic shift has also involved rebuilding its autonomous driving team, with approximately 100 former Cruise employees reportedly rehired to contribute to eyes-off driving development. While GM is not immediately re-entering the robotaxi space, Anderson affirmed that the company's autonomous vehicle technology would be capable of supporting such applications if market demand dictates.

Other companies, such as Hyundai-backed Motional and Rivian, are also advancing their robotaxi initiatives. Motional launched a robotaxi service with Uber in Las Vegas this year, aiming for fully driverless commercial rides by late 2026. Rivian is developing autonomous driving for a future robotaxi fleet and announced a $1.25 billion robotaxi deal with Uber in March. According to Business Insider, GM intends to be prepared for the future of autonomous ride-hailing.