Autonomous vehicles take it one step further. GM and Honda-backed Cruise have won approval to offer autonomous taxis as a commercial service. This means that this time it is not another test, but an actual introduction to autonomous vehicles on the streets, although there are some limitations.
The use of fully autonomous vehicles on the road is increasing. However, these are not cars for ordinary consumers (who receive a maximum of 3 levels of autonomy), but various types of buses or taxis, which can boast level 4. Pony.ai has recently obtained a license to introduce autonomous taxis in China , an independent bus operates in Edinburgh, and this is only part of the ever-growing list. Cruise is now joining the ranks of companies that can operate their autonomous vehicles on a commercial basis. It is a joint venture between General Motors and Honda. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a license allowing this taxi service to operate commercially.
Cruise offers the first self-paid taxi service in a US city. The system seems to have some limitations, as taxis can only run on certain routes, only at night and in good weather.
Cruise has become the first and only company to operate a commercial driverless autonomous driving service in a large American city. Cruise has been testing free driverless rides in San Francisco since February, and will now be able to offer paid rides.
Despite the fact that the company was successful, it cannot be said that it is a completely independent operation. The fleet of 30 autonomous cars can move only on selected streets of San Francisco, in addition, only at night from 22:00 to 6:00. Furthermore, cars cannot travel at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h) and can only carry passengers in good weather.
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