The next time San Franciscans take a cab, they may step into a car with no one behind the steering wheel (方向盘). Driverless taxis are now allowed to drive on the city's streets — with some conditions.
Last week, regulators of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to issue a novel permit to Cruise, the self-driving vehicle branch company of General Motors (GM). The first-of-its-kind permit allows Cruise to charge for rides, without a human driver in the car. Cruise had already been offering free rides in its self-driving cars, but the move allows the company to launch fully autonomous commercial operations in the Bay Area.
Cruise can operate just 30 autonomous vehicles without a safety driver, and the company can only charge for rides between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. in neighbourhoods that are outside of the busy down town area. Weather conditions are also a factor: No autonomous taxi rides when there's heavy rain, heavy fog, heavy smoke, or snow in the forecast. Shared rides aren't allowed.
Cruise's technology is made up of a series of sensors and cameras built into a Chevrolet Bolt, an entirely electric car made by GM. Cruise has also announced plans for a car of their own, the Cruise Origin. The Cruise Origin lacks pedals (脚踏板), mirrors, a steering wheel and consists mostly of a sitting space, where passengers can face each other.
Supporters of self-driving vehicles say the technology has the possibility to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, expand transportation options, save money and lower the environmental impact of cars. As Waymo's former CEO John Krafcik said, "We can be good drivers when we are focused. But because we are human, we are often not focused."
