GM engineers are currently working to install autonomous vehicle technology developed by the automaker’s Cruise subsidiary in its new BrightDrop electric delivery vans.
Sources familiar with GM’s plans told Bloomberg the automaker is currently working on the self-driving delivery vans with the eventual goal of launching a fully driverless package delivery service. The publication points out this would be a natural progression for GM, as it would entail combining the efforts of the Cruise and BrightDrop businesses that it already operates.
This project is still in its infancy, Bloomberg’s sources also said, as Cruise is still dedicating the vast majority of its resources to its self-driving robotaxi program. Cruise is currently offering free rides in its driverless Chevy Bolt EV test vehicles to San Francisco residents and hopes to soon receive state approval to begin charging customers fares for the rides. GM hopes to eventually operate an app-based ride-hailing service akin to Uber or Lyft using its fully driverless Origin robotaxi, which will enter production at the GM Factory Zero plant in Michigan later this year.
Cruise Origin robotaxi
Cruise entered a partnership with American retail giant Walmart in 2020 to pilot a new autonomous delivery service, so the idea of driverless deliveries is not entirely new to Cruise. The pilot, which went live in early 2021, enables Walmart customers in Scottsdale, Arizona to place an order from their local Walmart store and have it delivered to them in one of Cruise’s driverless Bolt EV-based prototypes. This pilot program recently expanded to include more driving routes – a potential sign the autonomous deliveries are working as the two companies intended.
Walmart also counts itself among BrightDrop’s growing list of fleet customers, with the company placing an order for 5,000 of its Zevo 600 and smaller Zevo 400 vans in January. Other major BrightDrop customers include FedEx and MerchantsFleet.
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Comments
Makes sense why corporations are so interested in it. No driver means no annual salary, no medical coverage, no downtime for lunch, no overtime pay. If it works, then it’s a huge cost-savings proposal.
And, no strikes.
It also means no income taxes on pay earned by human workers. So, big drop in revenue for state and federal governments. That’s the real problem with an automated workforce.
It also means no income taxes on pay earned by human workers. So, big drop in revenue for state and federal governments. That’s the real problem with an automated workforce.
Gee… maybe government will need to pare back on “grants” and pork projects.
Yeah, like food stamps. And workers’ compensation. And fixing bridges. And educating children. And don’t get me started on Ukraine and all the other foreign countries that take our money and laugh at us. We should just build a big wall around America. Not just across the southern border, but the northern one, too. Then build dykes in the oceans to the east and west. Don’t let anybody in. Or out. And we’ll make everything we need here. And we’ll grow all our food here. And then nobody can tell us what to do anymore.
GM’s investment in these niche businesses just drives up the cost of their ordinary vehicles for the rest of us.
So Fedex and Walmart are niche businesses? Who knew. I guess you do not get out much.
Whatever, no computer will ever replace the logical, rational, thinking human brain. Here’s a simple question, how does a driverless vehicle respond to hand signals for parking or a police officer directing traffic? What about a detour for road construction or an accident? So many questions and so few answers. Just keep them out of my way!