AVs: Bringing the Future of Autonomous Transport to Customers, Consumers, and the Industrial & Industrial Continuum
Cruise is delivering on its promise to expand its robotaxi service to two new markets before the end of the year. For years, Cruise has operated its autonomous ridehail service exclusively in San Francisco. But earlier this year, the GM-backed company said it would launch in Phoenix, Arizona, and Austin, Texas, before the end of 2022.
The company boasted earlier this year that it only took 90 days to go from zero to self-driving in no time at all. Indeed, it did take years for Cruise to launch its paid driverless taxi service in San Francisco.
The company had originally planned to unveil a commercial service there in 2019 but failed to do so after determining the technology wasn’t quite ready. The service later launched in 2022.
The National Highway Traffic Administration opened an investigation last week into incidents where Cruise vehicles hard braking has resulted in rear-end collisions and blocked traffic. The company said it welcomed the scrutiny, noting that its vehicles have caused “zero life-threatening injuries or fatalities.”
Developing cars that can drive without a human is a unique challenge. There are a lot of things that fully self-sufficient vehicles have to be prepared for and make sure they do not make mistakes. Solving these problems requires innovation across a number of fields, such as AI and machine learning, advanced sensors, simulation software that can mimic real-world driving, and computing frameworks to evaluate the system’s performance.
When it comes to the impact on our daily lives, economies, and societies, there will be no comparison to the invention of the car itself. Using technology to safely transport people can create hundreds of billions of dollars in economic value, as well as bring increased mobility to more people who need it. In 2023, as more people in more places ride in AVs, we’ll see a preview of what an AV-enabled future will look like—and how it’s closer than you might think.
Progress will also be seen by trucking. Autonomous trucks are already hauling thousands of tons of goods for Wayfair, UPS, FedEx, Coca Cola—and even the Girl Scouts of North Texas. In 2023, autonomous big rigs will become a more common sight, especially in Texas and Arizona. AV companies will sign more partnerships with carriers, freight brokers, and major consumer brands. It is expected that freight volume will increase, showing how easy it is to backfill the huge shortage of truck drivers. The world was short more than 2.6 million truck drivers. If you live in the Southwestern United States, there is a good chance that your new coffee table, sofa, or winter sweater will be transported autonomously.