---
title: "GM Cruise Ditches Boxy Robotaxis for Chevy Bolt EVs"
date: "2024-07-23"
modified: "2024-07-23"
authors:
  - name: "Nico DeMattia"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/tech/gm-cruise-ditches-boxy-robotaxis-for-chevy-bolt-evs"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Chevrolet News"
  - "GM News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Self-Driving Tech"
tags:
  - "Bolt"
  - "Chevrolet"
  - "Electric"
---

# GM Cruise Ditches Boxy Robotaxis for Chevy Bolt EVs

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/01/cruise-bus.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

GM's self-driving subsidiary [Cruise](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/cruise-robotaxis-struggled-to-detect-children-but-cruise-ran-them-anyway-report>) has officially thrown in the towel on its Origin robotaxis, so don't expect to get into one of those futuristic autonomous cubes anytime soon. The vehicle was designed as a look into the future of self-driving rideshare services with a spacious, boxy design and no driver controls to speak of. The radical concept is now being dropped in favor of cheaper [Chevy](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/chevrolet-news>) Bolts.

According to *[Tech Crunch](<https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/23/gms-cruise-abandons-origin-robotaxi-takes-583-million-charge/>)*, GM CEO Mary Barra told shareholders that the switch from Origin robotaxis to [next-gen Bolts](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-chevy-bolt-ev-is-coming-back-with-vital-upgrades>) is to “simplify their path to scale.” Translating that from CEO speak, Bolts are significantly cheaper and don't face any regulatory hurdles from being completely driverless. Since the Origin robotaxi lacks the ability to even have a driver, and what GM calls "campfire seating," it doesn't yet meet regulatory standards. So even though there's no official word on what the next-gen Bolt will be like, or what sort of autonomy it will have for customers, it's going to be the basis for Cruise's next vehicle.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cruise-car-in-San-Francisco-streets.jpg>)
*TOWNER*

“GM and Cruise are optimizing resources to focus development of our next autonomous vehicle on the next generation Bolt instead of the Origin," a GM spokesperson told *The Drive*. "This shift creates a more cost-effective and scalable option for pursuing an autonomous future faster, while avoiding the uncertain path to regulatory compliance in the U.S. that could impede scaling of the Origin. The Origin does not include a steering wheel and brake pedals and uses campfire seating, a design that is currently not permitted.”

It's worth noting the timing of this switch. Cruise has had some very public incidents in the past year, causing the state of California to crack down and even suspend the company's permits to test self-driving cars after it failed to cooperate with an investigation. Cruise paid a fine to get its operations back underway in California but the damage to its public perception is done. With a second-quarter operating loss of $1.14 billion, Cruise can't exactly afford to keep investing in the Origin. Switching to the Bolt not only saves Cruise money but it's arguably a better advertisement for Chevy's self-driving tech in consumer vehicles, even though those are limited to Level 2 Super Cruise instead of Level 4 like the robotaxis.

***Updated at 1:15 p.m. ET on 07/23/2023:*** *This story now includes General Motors' statement given to* The Drive.

*Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/ndemattia/>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-demattia-90885540/>)