Self-driving operator Cruise returns to metro Phoenix, with a human behind the wheel
Cruise, an autonomous vehicle operator and subsidiary of General Motors, is resuming operations in Phoenix, but this time, a human driver is controlling the car.
The company halted operations in October 2023 after its permit to operate in California was revoked. At the time, Cruise was operating autonomous vehicles in Phoenix with riders who had enrolled in the company’s testing program.
Cruise will begin manual driving without autonomous systems engaged to create maps and gather information, the company said in an announcement Tuesday.
During the months that driverless operations were halted, Cruise continued testing in simulated environments and closed courses, according to a company announcement. The company's goal is to return to fully driverless operations.
The company laid off about 24% of its full-time staff in December, following the pause to operations. Former CEO and Cruise co-founder Kyle Vogt stepped down from his role in November, he announced on X, formerly Twitter. Co-founder Daniel Kan also resigned in November.
In February the company announced it had hired Steve Kenner as chief safety officer. Kenner had previously worked for self-driving trucking company Kodiak as vice president of safety.
As Cruise begins operations with human drivers in Phoenix, it will be collecting data for map information, like speed limits, stop signs, traffic lights, lane paint, right turn-only lanes and other road features. The vehicles will not have autonomous systems activated.
Cruise will have a new operational design domain, and areas, like Phoenix, where the company previously operated will be updated during this process, a company representative said.
Reach the reporter at cvanek@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @CorinaVanek.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Autonomous operator Cruise resumes Valley testing, with human drivers
