Origin robotaxi

General Motors has officially abandoned its plans for the Cruise Origin, a custom-designed robotaxi that lacked a steering wheel and pedals, due to regulatory challenges and operational setbacks. The decision, which comes with a $583 million financial charge, reflects the difficulties Cruise has faced, including the suspension of its operations in California after a serious accident involving one of its vehicles. Instead, Cruise will pivot to utilizing a next-generation Chevrolet Bolt, which is expected to be a more cost-effective and scalable option for their autonomous vehicle ambitions. GM CEO Mary Barra emphasized that this shift allows for optimization of resources while sidestepping the complex regulatory hurdles associated with the Origin's unconventional design. The next-gen Bolt aims to resume production in 2025, following a prior discontinuation due to customer backlash. Despite the setbacks, Cruise continues its testing efforts in select cities, albeit currently with human drivers.