Bloomberg – Uber to Begin Offering Self-Driving Cruise Cars, Shares Fall
Editors note: 1) why would riders choose a Cruise robotaxi given their poor track record and weak technology; 2) Cruise won’t be around long enough for them to start this service anyways. And yes, it is sad that Cruise has been reduced to just putting out press releases. If Cruise was still a serious company they would actually be providing a service instead.
See original article by Lynn Doan and Natalie Lung at Bloomberg
Cruise trying to rebuild business after mishandling collision
Uber, Cruise entering into deal that will last multiple years
Uber Technologies Inc. plans to start offering self-driving Cruise LLC cars to customers on its ride-hailing platform next year.
Once the multiyear partnership between Uber and Cruise begins, an Uber rider requesting a qualifying ride will have the option of choosing a Cruise autonomous vehicle, the companies said in a joint statement Thursday.
General Motors Co.’s Cruise has been trying to regain traction after grounding its fleet in October following the mishandling by prior management of a collision with a pedestrian. One of the San Francisco-based firm’s vehicles struck and dragged a pedestrian, who was hospitalized for months. California regulators pulled Cruise’s driverless license alleging that the company was not forthcoming with details about the incident.
Read More: GM’s Cruise Targets Resumption of Driverless Rides This Year
Uber shares fell as much as 4.4% in after-market trading on Thursday to $70.05.
Cruise is targeting a return to running fully autonomous rides later this year and possibly charging fares by early 2025, Bloomberg reported last month, citing people familiar with the matter.
Uber said the offering will begin early next year in a single market in the US to start, while declining to disclose the location.
See original article by Lynn Doan and Natalie Lung at Bloomberg
