General Motors (NYSE: NYSE:GM) subsidiary Cruise is set to initiate a new phase of supervised autonomous vehicle (AV) testing in Phoenix, Arizona, starting this week. The company's AVs, which have been mapping and collecting road data in the city for the past several weeks, will now undergo validation against stringent safety and performance standards.
During this phase, the Cruise AVs will operate autonomously with a safety driver on board to oversee operations and intervene if necessary. This step is critical for validating the vehicles before they can resume driverless operations. The testing builds upon Cruise's previous achievements, including more than 5 million miles driven autonomously by its fleet.
The supervised autonomous driving will begin in Phoenix and eventually extend to neighboring cities such as Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler. Expansion will be contingent on meeting specific safety benchmarks.
Cruise emphasizes that safety is the cornerstone of its operations. The company outlines its safety measures across three pillars: Product Safety, Operational Safety, and Enterprise Safety. The Cruise AVs, built on the Chevy Bolt EV platform, undergo rigorous maintenance and software testing to ensure they meet all motor vehicle safety standards. Operational safety includes documented protocols for fleet operations, driver training, and performance management. Enterprise Safety reflects the company's commitment to a safety-focused culture, with governance, policies, and training in place to empower every employee.
Additionally, Cruise encourages community engagement through its Community Feedback portal, where residents can report driving concerns for the company to investigate and address as necessary.
This information is based on a press release statement and reflects the company's ongoing efforts to advance its autonomous driving technology while prioritizing public safety and community collaboration.
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