Cruise Automation Begins Testing Self-Driving Chevrolet Bolts in San Francisco
General Motors and Cruise Automation have started real-world trials of autonomous Chevrolet Bolt EVs on San Francisco streets, targeting future deployment in ride-sharing fleets.
Cruise Automation, now part of General Motors, has started testing self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EVs on public roads in San Francisco. The move puts GM alongside other major players trialling autonomous vehicles in busy urban environments.
The test vehicles are Chevrolet Bolt EVs fitted with a suite of sensors and Cruise Automation’s autonomous driving hardware and software. According to Cruise’s official website, the Bolts are already navigating San Francisco’s streets, gathering data and refining their systems in live traffic conditions. The company has made no secret of its ambitions to move quickly towards commercial deployment.
GM's ride-sharing ambitions
General Motors has signalled plans to integrate self-driving Bolts into ride-sharing fleets, particularly through its investment in Lyft. The Wall Street Journal reported that GM and Cruise are aiming to deploy a driverless Chevrolet Bolt within a year for use in Lyft’s service, although regulatory approval remains a barrier.
The Bolt EV was selected for its electric powertrain and suitability for urban operation. GM expects the combination of autonomy and electrification to reduce operating costs for ride-sharing providers and improve fleet efficiency. Production of the Bolt EV was scheduled to begin in 2016, with market launch planned for 2017.
Competition and regulatory hurdles
Cruise and GM are not alone in the race to put autonomous vehicles on the road. Uber has been testing self-driving Ford Fusion hybrids in Pittsburgh, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz have launched their own public trials in Europe and the US. The regulatory environment remains uncertain, with authorities yet to finalise rules for fully driverless operation in most cities.
- GM acquired Cruise Automation to accelerate its self-driving programme (see /gm-buys-cruise-automation-to-speed-up-the-development-of-self-driving-cars).
- GM is expanding self-driving R&D operations, including new jobs in Ontario (see /gm-expand-its-operations-in-canada-to-focus-on-self-driving-tech).
- BMW and Mercedes-Benz are also running autonomous vehicle pilots (see /german-automakers-are-kicking-off-the-local-autonomous-war).
