US auto giant General Motors and ride-sharing company Lyft to test self-driving Chevrolet Bolt taxis

United States: Cruise Automation Inc., a self-driving technology start-up, which GM plans to buy for USD1 billion has developed the technology for the autonomous-testing program. GM announced its self-driving testing program after it invested USD500 million in ride-sharing company, Lyft. Companies such as Google and Uber have already invested heavily in self-driving technology. Hence, GM makes this move in order to sustain the drastic changes in transportation technology.

GM officials said, “We have said the Chevrolet Bolt EV as the ideal platform for ride sharing solutions. We believe electrification blends perfectly with autonomy when it comes to technology integration.” GM currently lends its Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover to Lyft drivers in Chicago.

Lyft Product Director Taggart Matthiesen said, “We will want to vet the autonomous tech between Cruise, GM and ourselves and slowly introduce this to markets.” Lyft, further plans to phase out drivers, however, it would keep them in the autonomous vehicles to address the regulatory concerns.

The details of the testing program are still being worked out and the trials are going on in an anonymous city. However, interested customers can opt into this program and can avail the opportunity to hail a self-driving Bolt.

According to a recent report published by TechSci Research, “Global Autonomous Car Technology Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2035” anticipated increase in regulations mandating integration of autonomous technology in new vehicles, decline in prices of autonomous technology and the rising focus on safety on roads is expected to drive growth in the global autonomous car technology market over the next twenty years.

As per TechSci Research, global autonomous car technology market is primarily divided into three segments - Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) car technologies, semi-autonomous car technology and fully-autonomous car technology. ADAS technology us currently moving at a fast pace on account of its enhanced safety features. The semi-autonomous car technology is expected to be seen on roads over the next ten years, while, fully-autonomous cars are expected to be commercially available by 2025.