General Motors (GM) and Lyft will reportedly begin testing autonomous-driving Chevrolet Bolt taxis on U.S. roadways within a year.
In January, Tech Times reported that GM has invested $500 million in Lyft as an attempt to tap the growing ridesharing community and utilize this new platform to introduce innovations in transportation technology.
According to The Wall Street Journal, GM is planning to buy Cruise Automation Inc., a self-driving technology company, for $1 billion and utilize its innovation for the Chevy Bolt autonomous-driving trial.
GM refused to confirm when the self-driving cars will be ready for launch. However, the company said it "continues to make progress" on its plan to develop an "integrated on-demand autonomous network" with Lyft.
Additionally, GM said it is targeting an initial test of the program in an undisclosed city. If the GM acquisition of Cruise Automation, Inc. is successful, GM will have access to Cruise Automation's self-driving vehicle testing license in California.
"Similarly, we have said the Chevrolet Bolt EV is the ideal platform for ride sharing solutions," GM spokesman Kevin Kelly explained. "We believe electrification blends perfectly with autonomy when it comes to technology integration."
GM is setting its eyes on Lyft drivers as the Bolt's primary customer when the electric vehicles are launched this year. The demand for electric vehicles has taken a hit recently due to the drop in gas prices, as well as the growing market for pickups and SUVs. GM hopes that by investing in improving Bolt's technology, it would revive the public's interest in purchasing electric vehicles.
According to Lyft director of product, Taggart Matthiesen, details of the program with GM are still being finalized.
"We're still working on the technology, but I think we're in a position where we basically have a plan as to how we want to roll this out," he said in an interview. In addition, Matthiesen also clarified that once the self-driving cars are ready to be tested on the road, they plan to have "safety drivers" seated in the car, ready to take over the vehicle if unexpected issues occur.
Currently, a prototype version of an app that allows Lyft users to opt in or out of the self-driving Bolt taxi program is being developed. Matthiesen added that Lyft is making sure its network of drivers and passengers are familiar with the program before it becomes operational.
With autonomous vehicles being developed by many tech companies including Google, Uber, and Tesla, human-driven and controlled vehicles may be on their last days. It is still a long path to nationwide adoption of the technology, but this program by GM and Lyft is an important first step.
