Cruise, the self-driving car company, has unveiled its long-awaited Android app for ridehailing, expanding its service beyond iPhone users in San Francisco. The launch of the Android app is in response to strong demand, as approximately 20 percent of Cruise’s waitlist users are on the Android platform. The release of the Android app fulfills one of the most frequently requested updates on social media from potential customers.
The Android app will come equipped with all the features and upgrades that have been introduced to the iOS app since its initial launch. This includes the convenience of dropping a movable pin on the map by long-pressing the screen, allowing users to pinpoint their pickup and drop-off locations precisely.
Previously, Cruise had been operating its self-driving robotaxi service in specific areas of San Francisco during nighttime hours. However, the company recently expanded its operations to cover all areas of the city, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While initially limited to employees and “power users” who were part of the testing phase, Cruise has gradually opened daytime rides to the general public in certain parts of San Francisco since April. The company has been steadily expanding its availability of daytime rides and intends to offer the service to paying customers in the near future.
Introducing… the Cruise Android App!
Starting today, we’re onboarding Android users from our waitlist, so if you’ve been waiting patiently, keep an eye out for an email ?
Not on our waitlist? Sign up now: https://t.co/0d4Qmeyjtn pic.twitter.com/polhgBTsqW
— cruise (@Cruise) June 20, 2023
Becoming a power user, which involves signing up to test beta features and providing feedback to Cruise, enables Android users to hail rides during daytime hours. Cruise aims to continue expanding the availability of daytime rides throughout San Francisco. The company’s CEO, Kyle Vogt, previously stated that opening up full operations in other cities is on the horizon. Vogt expressed confidence in Cruise’s ability to operate successfully, emphasizing that San Francisco serves as a significant test for the viability of their technology, and if it can work there, it can work anywhere.
Cruise made headlines last year when it secured the first-ever driverless deployment permit issued by the California Public Utilities Commission. Initially, Cruise was limited to operating in select areas of San Francisco from 10 PM to 6 AM. However, the company’s progress and expansion have led to increased accessibility and expanded operational hours.
With the launch of its Android app and the continued expansion of its ridehailing service, Cruise aims to cater to a broader customer base and provide a glimpse into the future of autonomous transportation. As the company fine-tunes its technology and refines its operations in San Francisco, it sets the stage for potential future deployments in other cities, marking a significant step toward realizing the vision of self-driving vehicles on a larger scale.
