GM Repurposes Robotaxi Fleet to Test Tech It Plans for Your Car

In an unexpected but strategic move, General Motors (GM) is repurposing its robotaxi fleet (formerly the Cruise Project) to test autonomous driving technology for personal vehicles. This decision comes after the automaker made the bold choice to discontinue its ambitious robotaxi project under the Cruise division, a venture that once promised to be the future of autonomous ride-hailing. The company is now focusing on evolving its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to work within the framework of everyday consumer vehicles.

The repurposed fleet, consisting of GM Bolt EVs previously used in the Cruise project, is being utilized to accelerate GM’s autonomous technology development. These Bolt EVs are now being deployed in Michigan, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where they will run on highways with the help of trained safety drivers who can take control if needed. The use of lidar sensors, previously part of Cruise’s ride-hailing tech, has allowed GM to collect valuable data to further fine-tune its Super Cruise system and integrate more sophisticated autonomous driving features.

A New Approach to Autonomous Tech

The decision to repurpose the Cruise fleet marks a shift in GM’s approach to autonomous driving. Originally, Cruise was the centerpiece of GM's self-driving ambitions, with the goal of introducing a fleet of fully autonomous vehicles for public use. However, after facing numerous technical hurdles and costly setbacks, GM has opted to repurpose Cruise's technology for a different purpose: improving its personal vehicles. The goal is no longer to create robotaxis, but rather to enhance consumer vehicles with cutting-edge autonomous features, starting with Level 3 automation.

While GM has decided to scale back its efforts in the robotaxi market, the company is still committed to autonomous driving technology, albeit in a more gradual and controlled approach. Super Cruise, GM’s existing driver-assist technology, currently operates at Level 2 automation, which enables hands-free driving in certain conditions. However, GM aims to advance the technology to Level 3, where a vehicle can handle most driving tasks autonomously, and the driver can disengage entirely when requested by the vehicle.

The repurposed Cruise Bolts, now outfitted with lidar sensors, will play a crucial role in testing and refining this technology. By gathering data in real-world conditions, GM can identify potential improvements and expand its ADAS offerings to meet the challenges of full autonomy.

The Shift to Level 3 Autonomy

Level 3 autonomy represents a pivotal milestone in the autonomous driving world. Unlike Level 2, where the driver must always be ready to take control, Level 3 allows the car to handle all driving tasks within certain parameters, such as on highways, without human intervention. However, the driver must remain available to take over if the system requests it. This level of autonomy is seen as a crucial stepping stone toward fully driverless cars, which is the ultimate goal for many automakers, including GM.

The testing of these repurposed Cruise Bolts will provide GM with invaluable insights into the challenges and capabilities of Level 3 autonomous systems. The lidar sensors, which use laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed maps of the surrounding environment, will be a key component of this testing. The use of lidar is particularly important in low-visibility situations, such as fog or heavy rain, where traditional cameras and sensors may struggle.

GM’s ability to adapt the Cruise technology to its consumer vehicles is an indication of the company’s willingness to learn from past mistakes and apply those lessons to its current endeavors. The automaker has learned from the challenges it faced with Cruise and is now focusing on incremental progress, rather than trying to achieve full autonomy in one giant leap.

The Road Ahead: Scaling Autonomous Tech for Consumers

As GM moves forward with the development of Level 3 autonomous technology, it is also expanding its collaborations with key players in the tech industry. In particular, GM’s expanded partnership with Nvidia, a leading chipmaker for autonomous systems, is critical to the advancement of GM’s autonomous vehicle platform. The collaboration with Nvidia will provide GM with the computational power and software capabilities needed to scale its autonomous technology across its vehicle lineup.

This collaboration with Nvidia also includes other major automakers such as Volvo, Toyota, Rivian, and Mercedes-Benz. Together, these companies are working to create a standardized platform for autonomous driving, which will help accelerate the development of self-driving cars that are safe, reliable, and scalable.

The decision to continue developing autonomous driving technology for personal vehicles, rather than focusing solely on the robotaxi market, also aligns with broader trends in the automotive industry. Many automakers have recognized that autonomous driving will likely evolve first in controlled environments, such as highways, where the complexity of city driving can be reduced. Once the technology is proven in these settings, it can be expanded to more complex urban environments.

The Future of GM’s Autonomous Driving Technology

The repurposed Cruise fleet is just the beginning of GM’s journey toward achieving full autonomy. As the company refines its autonomous technology, it will likely introduce new models equipped with enhanced Super Cruise capabilities, eventually progressing to Level 4 and Level 5 autonomy, where no human intervention is required.

However, GM's approach to autonomous driving will be measured and methodical. Unlike some of its competitors, GM is not rushing to deploy fully autonomous vehicles without extensive testing and validation. The company’s focus on personal vehicles, rather than robotaxis, allows for a more cautious and controlled approach to the technology, which could ultimately prove to be a more successful path in the long run.

While GM’s venture into robotaxis may have faltered, the company’s commitment to autonomous driving technology remains strong. By repurposing its Cruise fleet and integrating those lessons into its consumer vehicles, GM is taking important steps toward the future of mobility. As the company continues to test and develop its autonomous systems, it will be interesting to see how its efforts shape the future of the automotive industry and autonomous driving technology.

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