Cruise self-driving taxis have been given the green light to operate 24/7 in San Francisco, according to company chief Kyle Vogt. While the expanded access is currently limited to Cruise employees, the company is also opening up daytime rides to select public “power users”. This marks a significant step forward for the GM-owned brand in the competitive self-driving taxi market, and comes after months of staff testing during daytime hours.
Well folks, we did it. I have been waiting for this day for almost 10 years.
I am proud to announce @Cruise is now running 24/7 across all of San Francisco!
This is a pivotal moment for our business.
Let me tell you why ?(1/6) pic.twitter.com/UqCMgozrWX
— Kyle Vogt (@kvogt) April 25, 2023
San Francisco officials have been cautious in allowing autonomous vehicles onto the city’s roads, but Vogt believes that the success of Cruise’s service in the city could set the standard for future deployments in other urban areas. The city’s varied terrain and challenging weather conditions make it a tough test for self-driving car sensors, but Cruise’s ability to operate round-the-clock could give it an edge over rivals like Alphabet’s Waymo.
While there’s no timeline for wider deployments elsewhere, Vogt has promised that Cruise’s operations will soon grow in other cities. The company’s focus on safety and gradual expansion could be the key to winning public trust and gaining regulatory approval. As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that Cruise is positioning itself as a major player in the race for the future of urban transportation.
