GM’s autonomous vehicle division, Cruise, is currently hard at work developing new technology that will pilot a fleet of fully driverless vehicles in the near future. That includes Cruise Origin, framed as an autonomous, all-electric ride-sharing “robotaxi.” Now, GM Authority spy photographers have caught a prototype example of the Cruise Origin out for testing.
Although GM unveiled Cruise Origin in January of 2020, this is the first time we’ve seen an actual prototype model out testing and in motion at a GM development facility. This particular example was caught at the GM Proving Grounds.
Most importantly, it looks as though this Cruise Origin prototype has a human pilot onboard. Although Origin debuted as a fully driverless robotaxi with two opposing bench seats for passengers, this prototype model is equipped with a single centrally placed driver’s seat and steering wheel, with a human pilot clearly at the helm. It’s possible this particular prototype is testing the onboard steering, braking, and propulsion systems, and is not equipped with GM’s fully autonomous technology currently in development.
Beyond the human pilot in the cabin, these spy photos also show the Cruise Origin body out in the real world. Origin is roughly the same size as a traditional crossover utility vehicle, and features a large, boxy shape with a pair of sliding doors that part down the middle to aid in ingress and egress. Cruise Origin is also fully electric, moving propulsion system components into the periphery to free up space inside the cabin for passengers.
Further notable features include a range of sensors mounted fore and aft, which are undoubtedly crucial for the autonomous driving tech. Up front, we spot what looks to be the charge port, which is located on the front “driver’s-side” front fender and is taped shut. This prototype is also finished in white, while the images released with the model’s debut in 2020 included black and orange accents for the body.
For now, the GM Cruise division continues to work towards the development of fully autonomous technology, and recently began charging customers for driverless rides in San Francisco. It’s unclear at this time when this technology and the Cruise Origin AV will be ready for full-scale deployment.
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Comments
Are those Silverado/Tahoe wheels?
Let’s do some test where people live with bad weather. Like water on the roads and snow 2 feet from the curbs or how’z about a dust storm in AZ.
It will probably drive better than most people who drive in inclement weather or 2 feet of snow.
…… wow … this is ugly.. very
It’s not a personal vehicle. It’s like saying a bus is ugly.
it does not matter if a bus , a van, a truck or private car. it has beautiful buses, beautiful trucks…
but this thing with comic ears is strange, totally, do not say about the symmetry, all those details… and sincere do not understand why it can not have a driver… hope this does not work out and get abandoned.
Bruh… The whole point of it is to not have a driver. That way you don’t have to pay a driver.
Those comic ears are sensors, most Automakers are in their early years of Autonomous Vehicles, so within the next few years down the road and beyond, the design aspect of this particular vehicle will improve, this will only be used for Public Transport and I suspect that only select areas nationwide will see these vehicles running around.
Hard to tell if it’s coming or going
If GM was going for “different”, then they succeeded… That thing is butt ugly!
Ugliest vehicle that I have ever seen!
have you seen the current HD Chevy pickup truck proboscis?
Dr. Annoy prescribes you the 2003 Fiat Multipla to cure this statement.
Agenda 2030 is alive and well it seems