Cruise Layoffs and Contractor Cuts Follow Driverless Car Suspension

Cruise, the self-driving car subsidiary of GM, has begun laying off contingent workers who supported its driverless operations after pausing all autonomous vehicle operations and losing key commercial permits. The layoffs include workers responsible for cleaning, charging, and maintaining the vehicles, as well as customer support. The decision was made due to the deprioritization of driverless operations and recent missteps, including a pedestrian accident involving a Cruise robotaxi. The company has also issued a recall for 950 vehicles equipped with its autonomous vehicle software.