The robotaxi industry faced significant setbacks in 2023, particularly with GM's Cruise experiencing a system breakdown and regulatory issues after a woman was injured by one of their vehicles. As a result, Cruise pulled its fleet nationwide and is under scrutiny. Waymo, on the other hand, has managed to avoid major incidents and is cautiously expanding its services. Experts predict that while Cruise will struggle to return to San Francisco streets in 2024, Waymo may face its own challenges ahead. Meanwhile, Zoox is expected to have a modest presence, and the autonomous trucking sector is likely to advance more quietly but steadily. The industry as a whole is anticipated to shift its messaging to focus more on safety and community integration.
In 2023, Cruise, GM's robotaxi division, faced a significant setback as operations were halted across the USA following a ban in California. This was largely due to a serious incident where a Cruise vehicle dragged an injured pedestrian, compounded by the company's failure to disclose the full details of the event to regulators. The situation was exacerbated by a pre-existing tension between Cruise and San Francisco officials, and the DMV's subsequent investigation into other incidents involving Cruise. The company's approach to expansion, safety, and transparency has been called into question, leading to the resignation of its CEO and a reevaluation of its strategies in the competitive self-driving car market.
The Fort Worth Fire Department has found no evidence of shots fired or an explosive device at Hulen Mall after receiving calls about an active shooter and bomb threat. The mall was evacuated as a precaution, but no victims or threats were found. Fire investigators believe the sound of gunshots reported by witnesses were actually slamming doors as people fled the area. Police and fire crews will continue their investigation.
