Honda may be reconsidering plans to launch a fully autonomous robotaxi service after a significant reorganization effort by its autonomous vehicle (AV) technology partner, Cruise. The Japanese automaker initially announced that it would begin testing of the fully autonomous Cruise Origin robotaxi in Tokyo by 2026. However, a series of setbacks at GM’s AV tech division could signal changes for the Japanese automaker’s autonomous ambitions.
“We are currently examining the impact of the project and refrain from answering whether there will be any change in the start date of the project at this time,” Honda spokesman Kazuto Kashiwai recently told Automotive News in regard to the Japanese automaker’s AV plans.
Last year, Cruise suspended its public AV testing program after a pedestrian was struck by a human-driven vehicle and thrown underneath an autonomous Cruise vehicle. The pedestrian was dragged approximately 20 feet at 7 mph before the AV stopped. Rescue crews were forced to use the jaws of life to free the injured pedestrian.
In the wake of the accident, Cruise fired nearly a quarter of its staff, while several top executives left, including CEO Kyle Vogt. In July, GM indefinitely paused production of the Cruise Origin robotaxi.
Cruise Origin units parked at the GM Milford Proving Ground
The decision to halt production of Cruise Origin likely throws a wrench in Honda’s AV timeline, although the automaker has yet to officially confirm delays for its Tokyo project. The Japanese automaker originally hoped to scale the Tokyo-based AV ride service to include hundreds of autonomous vehicles across multiple cities.
Despite the obstacles, the Japanese automaker says that it remains committed to its long-term goal of bringing autonomous ride-hailing to Japan, and that it “would like to start driverless ride service in Japan as soon as possible,” per Kashiwai.
However, with Cruise focusing on damage control and a new CEO, Marc Whitten, at the helm, the future of the partnership between GM’s Cruise and Honda remains somewhat uncertain.
Meanwhile, further cracks are beginning to show in the relationship between the two automakers. While work continues on hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies, including production of the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, the two automakers have abandoned an effort to co-develop affordable electric vehicles. Honda has since aligned itself with Nissan and Mitsubishi to further develop electric vehicle technology, while GM has entered into collaboration with South Korea’s Hyundai, focusing on vehicle development and electric powertrain innovation.
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