Last September, I embarked on a memorable journey with a Chevy Bolt named Peaches, an autonomous vehicle part of a ride-hailing service run by Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors. This ride, which took place around the hilly streets of San Francisco, initially showcased the exciting advancements in technology.
However, my encounter with autonomous driving took a concerning turn when Peaches, while approaching the designated drop-off point, inexplicably sped up and started driving away in the opposite direction. The dashboard display indicated I was now an estimated 20 minutes away from my initial destination. Contacting Cruise’s ride-hailing center, I was informed that Peaches had become confused and was being reprogrammed to return to the initial destination.
However, the vehicle continued to behave erratically, and eventually, Peaches came to a halt in the middle of the street, leaving me several blocks from my destination. While I was familiar with the area and was able to walk the remaining distance, I couldn’t help but ponder the implications if this were to happen to a tourist or someone unfamiliar with the city.
These incidents raise important questions about the proposed expansion of robotaxis in San Francisco, a topic currently under scrutiny by the California Public Utilities Commission. While advancements in autonomous technology are impressive, incidents like these highlight the need for careful consideration and oversight.
Cruise and Waymo, another self-driving car pioneer, hold the belief that autonomous vehicles will be safer and more efficient than human-operated cars. And indeed, the technology underpinning these vehicles has made significant strides.
However, as exemplified by my wild ride with Peaches, the road to fully autonomous vehicles is not without its challenges. It is essential to continue assessing the safety and reliability of these vehicles, particularly in real-world settings, as we navigate toward a future where autonomous vehicles become the norm.