Hyperdrive

GM’s Cruise Unit Allowed to Test Robotaxis in San Francisco

  • Startup is fifth company with fully driverless vehicle permit
  • CEO says startup to pursue food, freight delivery options
WATCH: California has granted Cruise Automation Inc. permission to operate five driverless vehicles in San Francisco. Cruise CEO Dan Ammann discusses the deal.(Source: Bloomberg)
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General Motors Co.’s Cruise LLC unit will be allowed to test autonomous vehicles on public roads in San Francisco without a safety driver, joining Amazon.com Inc.-backed Zoox Inc. and a handful of other self-driving startups.

Cruise is permitted to operate five vehicles without a driver behind the wheel, a step up from approval it received five years ago that required the presence of a person to take control if needed, the California Department of Motor Vehicles said Thursday in a statement.