Cruise Self-Driving Robotaxi Going Global Amid US Backlash

GM's Cruise and Honda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, seeking to create a joint venture that will put self-driving Robotaxis on Japan's roads. This development comes amid much backlash against Cruise'sChevy Bolt EVautonomous vehicles (AV) in the US, involving accidents and mishaps with emergency responders.

According to the release, the joint venture will see the Cruise Origin - an AV co-developed by the three companies - in service in early 2026. It can be hailed by users using a dedicated app (like Uber), picking up a customer at a specific location and "drive" them to the set destination.

The Cruise Origin,introduced in 2020, is a self-driving vehicle without a driver's seat and steering wheel. It can accommodate up to six people aboard, sitting face-to-face.

The first batch of Cruise Origins is expected to roll out in central Tokyo, starting with a dozen units. The company will eventually increase this to a fleet of 500 units, expanding further in areas outside Japan's capital. The service is claimed to answer Japan's societal issues, such as the shortage of taxi and bus drivers.

"Honda has been a key partner with Cruise for several years and we're excited to offer safer and more accessible transportation to customers in Tokyo," said Kyle Vogt, CEO of Cruise. "All of our work scaling in dense urban US markets will position us well to address the huge opportunity for autonomous vehicles in Japan."