In response to safety concerns, Cruise has paused its driverless operations across the U.S. and laid off a quarter of its self-driving car workforce. General Motors has also cut its budget. Waymo, however, expressed disappointment in the city's appeal but remains confident in its ability to serve safely. The outcome of the lawsuit, aimed at changing the commission's decision, remains uncertain.
Key takeaways:
- The city of San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against a state commission for allowing Google's Waymo and General Motors' Cruise to run expanded driverless taxi services in the city without a safety driver, arguing that it was a reckless decision that put residents in danger.
- There have been hundreds of safety incidents involving autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, including interference with first responders, according to the lawsuit.
- Cruise has already paused driverless operations of its entire fleet across the United States after a woman was found trapped and injured underneath one of its driverless vehicles, and California revoked its robotaxi permit due to safety concerns.
- Both Waymo and Cruise maintain that their driverless cabs make city streets safer, not more dangerous, but the city of San Francisco argues that poor AV performance has jeopardized public safety and emergency response.