GM seeks approval to deploy self-driving vehicles!

Feb 21, 2022 thejournalbiz

General Motors Co and its self-driving technology unit Cruise have petitioned U.S. regulators for permission to build and deploy a self-driving

Autonomous vehicle without human controls like steering wheels or brake pedals, Cruise said Friday

Cruise confirmed it sought permission to deploy the Cruise Origin that does not need features like a steering wheel to operate safely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has authority to grant petitions to allow a limited number of vehicles to temporarily operate on U.S. roads that do not have required human controls.

“The submission of this petition signals that Cruise and GM are ready to build and deploy the Origin,in America,” Cruise wrote, saying it would expand mobility options for people who had traditionally faced barriers to reliable transportation, including seniors and the blind.

*Cruise tweet on autonomous driving prototype

Hey San Francisco, ready to ride? Be one of the first to experience the magic of a driverless ride. Sign up today at https://t.co/nXPJ9a6g7o pic.twitter.com/XCJETJ0cWb

— cruise (@Cruise) February 1, 2022

The Origin, which was developed with GM and Cruise investor Honda Motor, has two long seats facing each other that can comfortably fit four passengers. Production is expected to begin in late 2022 in Detroit at a GM factory with vehicles delivered in 2023, Cruise said Friday.

Cruise and GM first disclosed in October 2020 they planned to seek approval from NHTSA within months to deploy the Cruise Origin.

In 2018, GM petitioned NHTSA to allow a car built on a Chevrolet Bolt without steering wheels or brake pedals on U.S. roads.

In late 2020, GM withdrew the petition.

Legislation to speed deployment of self-driving cars on U.S. roads without human controls has stalled in Congress.

In December, China’s Geely Holding said its premium electric mobility brand, Zeekr, will make electric vehicles for Waymo, Alphabet Inc’s self-driving unit, to be deployed as fully autonomous ride-hailing vehicles across the U.S.