- GM’s self-driving car with no steering wheel or pedals isn’t coming as originally planned
- The project will no longer use the Origin space shuttle
- GM plans to use a production version of the next-generation Bolt EV due in 2025, which could have a steering wheel and pedals
General Motors’ self-driving technology company Cruise will no longer use the space shuttle Origin for your fleet of robotaxis, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a statement made by the automaker.
Instead, Cruise will use a next-generation version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV that is due in 2025which means that GM has abandoned plans put a vehicle without a steering wheel and pedals on the road, at least for now.
Using a regular production model with steering wheels and pedals will save costs and avoid regulatory issues associated with approving a vehicle like the Origin for road use, GM said in its statement to Reuters.
In 2022, the automaker asked NHTSA for permission to deploy up to 2,500 of the Origin, though the agency has yet to respond to the request, according to Reuters.
Cruise robotaxi
The Origin, which runs on GM’s Ultium EV platform and suite of battery technology, was first shown in 2020, and a few examples have been built. Some prototype examples have been spy test in 2022.
Reuters reported that plans for Origin are on hold indefinitely and it is unclear whether GM will use the space shuttle in the future.
Cruise used the current Bolt EV for development purposes, and the compact electric crossover is still the only vehicle in Cruise’s robotaxi fleet. GM also showed off a version of the current Bolt EV without steering wheel and pedals already in 2018.
![General Motors' Cruise AV self-driving car has no steering wheel or pedals General Motors' Cruise AV self-driving car has no steering wheel or pedals](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/general-motors-cruise-av-self-driving-car-has-no-steering-wheel-or-pedals_100639331_l.jpg)
General Motors’ Cruise AV self-driving car has no steering wheel or pedals
Cruise was one of the most promising companies in the robotaxi race, with services running in several cities. However, an accident in San Francisco last October involving one of its robotaxis led to the fleet being grounded across the country. Cruise has since services resumed slowly in Phoenix and Dallas, but with a safety driver behind the wheel.
Cruise has been under extra scrutiny since the accident, in which a pedestrian was thrown into the path of one of its robotaxis after being struck by another vehicle in the adjacent lane. The driver of the other non-Cruise vehicle fled the scene.
Cruise’s robotaxi braked sharply to avoid impact, but still came into contact with the pedestrian. After an initial stop, the robotaxi continued for another 20 feet in an attempt to stop, which Cruise said was done to avoid further safety issues on the road. However, the maneuver resulted in the robotaxi dragging the pedestrian.