Date: September 8, 2023. — GM’s self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, has announced its plans to commence production of its electric autonomous shuttle, known as the “Origin”. The production will soon begin at Factory Zero located in Detroit. Origin is a compact bus-like vehicle that can carry up to six people.
Origin, represents a departure from conventional passenger vehicle design. It has been designed for shared mobility, with spacious interior that accommodates multiple passengers.
Cruise plans to use up to 2,500 autonomous vehicles without human drivers each year. The Origin, equipped with advanced self-driving technology, poised to revolutionize urban transportation. It will reduce congestion, emissions, and the overall cost of mobility.
Cruise has been refining its autonomous driving system. Furthermore, it has been racking up extensive real-world testing miles in preparation for this critical manufacturing phase. Moreover, the company’s vision revolves around a future with safer, more efficient transportation. This vision hinges on the success of the Origin and its autonomous capabilities.
As of now, Cruise has been operating its robo-taxi service in San Francisco utilizing modified self-driving Bolt cars. It was only recently given the go-ahead to begin charging for rides.
According to Kyle Vogt, CEO of Cruise, an automaker will produce the Origin as the first vehicle ever without a steering wheel.However, GM has finished the Origin’s engineering, testing, and certification, including driving it on public streets in San Francisco and Austin, Texas. Vogt claimed that the Origin can endure for 1 million miles, but most cars typically reach between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. If they don’t require regular replacement, this will significantly impact profitability.
By producing the Origin at Factory Zero, Cruise aims to accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles on a larger scale. This initiative starts with ride-sharing services in dense urban areas. Furthermore, this move underscores the industry’s broader shift towards electrification and autonomy. Automakers strive to meet the growing demand for sustainable and convenient transportation solutions.
Cruise has not disclosed an exact production start date, but the announcement signals a promising step toward a future where self-driving vehicles will be a common sight on our streets. With the backing of GM’s resources and expertise, Cruise’s autonomous journey seems poised to gain momentum as it inches closer to the production of the groundbreaking Origin at Factory Zero.
