GM seeks government approval to deploy driveless ride-share fleet in 2019

Jan. 16, 2018

Cruise AV would operate in a controlled ride-share service with no driver, steering wheel or pedals.

Source U.S. DOT

General Motors is seeking government approval to bypass current safety standards and deploy their 2,500 completely autonomous fleet by 2019.

GM argues that the current safety standards are only applicable for vehicles with human drivers, not driveless ones like theirs.

The "production ready" Cruise AV would operate in a controlled ride-share service with no driver, steering wheel, pedals, or manual controls. (Click here to view GM's Youtube video of the vehicle.)

At the Detroit Auto Show, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao confirmed that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received a petition.

"The department will review this petition, and give it responsible and careful consideration," she said. "This automaker also published a voluntary safety assessment letter, which helps increase public awareness about how these vehicles are designed to operate safely."

About the Author

Vesna Brajkovic | Associate Editor - Vehicle Repair Group

Vesna Brajkovic is a former associate editor for the Vehicle Repair Group.

Brajkovic has covered the transportation industry for a number of trade publications, with a focus on the vehicle maintenance and automotive aftermarket industries since 2016. Prior to that, she covered the global aviation industry as assistant editor for Endeavor Business Media's AviationPros.com, and held a number of editorial positions at an award-winning community newspaper.