GM cancels Cruise Origin

General Motors (GM) has indefinitely halted production of its autonomous vehicle, the Cruise Origin, as it shifts focus to developing the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt. CEO Mary Barra stated that this decision addresses regulatory uncertainties and will lower costs associated with the Origin's unique design, which lacks manual controls. The pause follows an October 2023 incident where a pedestrian was struck by a Cruise robotaxi, prompting investigations into safety protocols and management practices. Former Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt expressed disappointment over the Origin's cancellation and has since founded a new robotics company. While Cruise has resumed supervised testing in cities like Phoenix and Dallas, operations in San Francisco remain on hold pending further investigation. The production delay comes amid substantial losses for GM, with $600 million reported in special charges related to the halt.