--- title: "GM’s Cruise Robotaxis Are Coming Back to Join Uber’s Fleet" date: "2024-08-26" modified: "2024-08-26" authors: - name: "Beverly Braga" job_title: "Weekend Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/beverly-braga" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/gms-cruise-robotaxis-are-coming-back-to-join-ubers-fleet" categories: - "Car Tech" - "News" --- # GM’s Cruise Robotaxis Are Coming Back to Join Uber’s Fleet ![]() *\Uber / Cruis\* Just when you thought (hoped?) they may have been canceled, robotaxi operators seem to find a way to resurface, and with a vengeance. Take Cruise, for example. Instead of [imploding](), the General Motors-owned autonomous car service has announced a multi-year partnership with Uber. In a joint press release, [Cruise]() and [Uber]() said that starting next year, Cruise's [Chevrolet Bolt-based autonomous vehicles]() will be available for Uber[ rideshare]() requests. However, the statement was brief and did not indicate where the partnership rides would be offered or what a "qualifying ride" request would entail. Would it be based on the type of ride requested (i.e., UberX, Uber Green), travel distance, rider rating, personal or business account…? And what would the fare be compared to the other ride options? So many questions and zero answers. ![]() **www.thedrive.com** Nevertheless, it's a bold move by Cruise, which, as of June, is authorized to operate supervised autonomous driving in only three cities: Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix. The announcement also included executive quotes, which come off as either overly upbeat or naively confident. "We are excited to partner with Uber to bring the benefits of safe, reliable, autonomous driving to even more people, unlocking a new era of urban mobility,” said Cruise CEO Marc Whitten. “As the largest mobility and delivery platform, we believe Uber can play an important role in helping to safely and reliably introduce autonomous technology to consumers and cities around the world,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. ![]() **Cruise** When thinking of robotaxis, [annoyance](), [disdain](), [fear](), and [lawsuits]() come to mind. At least to me. Oh, and to Canadians who have [banned self-driving cars]() from public roads in British Columbia. I just don't associate self-driving car services with [reliability](), [safety](), or [trust](). I can't. Headlines about Cruise and Alphabet-owned competitor [Waymo]() do little to convince me otherwise. And, so, even when standing across the intersection from an autonomous vehicle, I still take a few steps back from the curb and don't cross the street until it's passed. It's my standard MO when walking around [San Francisco](). Serious heebie-jeebies because [not even pedestrians are safe](). The *idea* of robotaxis does bring a sense of "We've made it. We're the Jetsons." But in reality, robotaxis have provided such awe and wonder only to very few. There will need to be an exorbitant amount of [public trust-building]() done before the robotaxi ride-hailing officially launches. As the saying goes, just because you can doesn't mean you should. Will Uber users be comfortable? It will be interesting to see the take rate when the in-app ride option becomes available. Cruise at your own risk. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Born and raised in Hawaii, Beverly has been a prolific and published creative writer since her teens. As a contributor to The Drive, Beverly covers the weekend shift, blogging about all things automotive, mobility, transportation, and topics in-between. Currently a digital nomad, Beverly's only constant is her car, a second-generation Mazdaspeed3. Even though she's never in one place for too long, her hot hatch always feels like home. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()