Login
My Garage
New hero

Fully Autonomous taxis take to the San Francisco streets

By Tom Gibson | October 4, 2022

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

One BBC journalist hopped in for a ride to help promote the experience, but it didn’t all go to plan

Fully Autonomous taxis take to the San Francisco streets

Members of the US public can now use fully autonomous taxis after Cruise, the company behind the cabs, released a fleet of around 100 vehicles to take passengers from A to B.

A BBC journalist was one of a handful there for the launch but wasn’t too impressed with the concept – which although out on the roads is apparently still in ‘test’ phase – comparing the experience to ‘bad driving’ on BBC Breakfast this morning.

This was after the completely driverless taxi failed to navigate a bus that was re-joining the road having stopped to pick up passengers.

Despite there being a clear lane ahead, the taxi essentially panicked and stopped.

Cruise runs a service similar to Uber – in which users download an app and request a pick up – between 10pm and 5.30am whilst roads are quieter - using driverless Chevrolet Bolts that are powered by AI software and scores of sensors.

The company requested permission to expand its fleet by as much as 50 times in a bid to reach $1bn of revenue before 2025 by the San Fran authorities have highlighted numerous concerns in a 36-page response that has, so far at least, put the brakes on the expansion.

Related Articles

Experts warn 25,000 UK car jobs at risk if Trump’s tariffs hit
Trump is set to announce broad global tariffs on Wednesday, including a 25% levy on imported cars and car parts.
Apr 02, 2025
Why are petrol prices still so high? Watchdog calls out retailers for overcharging
UK drivers are still overpaying for fuel as petrol retailers keep margins high. The CMA warns of overpricing, but will a new fuel price...
Apr 01, 2025
Miracle escape: Dad and toddler survive terrifying A1 crash with lorry
A father and his two-year-old daughter miraculously escaped with minor injuries after their BMW was dragged 100m along the A1’s central...
Apr 01, 2025
Tom Cruise is permanently banned from buying a Bugatti, and here's why
Tom Cruise may be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, but he’s permanently banned from buying a Bugatti. Find out the surprising reason...
Mar 31, 2025