San Francisco became the first city globally to have two competing driverless robotaxi services, operated by Waymo and Cruise in 2023. Despite initial issues including cars stalling and confusion caused among pedestrians, Cruise distinguished itself with rapid deployment and ambition compared to the more cautious Waymo. However, Cruise faced a dramatic downfall following a significant incident, which shifted its status from industry leader to a cautionary tale. The company, founded by Kyle Vogt and acquired by General Motors in 2016, had previously gathered considerable investor interest and technological momentum.
“In 2023, San Francisco became the first and only city in the world where two rival driverless robotaxi companies operated side-by-side on public streets.”
“Both companies faced growing pains -- cars stalling in intersections, blocking emergency vehicles, and confusing pedestrians -- but it slowly became clear that of the two, Cruise stood out for its bold ambition.”
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