GM’s Cruise steers toward robotaxi comeback, but first with human drivers

General Motors’ robotaxi subsidiary Cruise is restarting operations in Phoenix, but with human drivers.

The company announced its plans Tuesday, saying the new taxis will be the first step on Cruises’ long road to redemption.

“Today, we’re taking an important next step in returning to our mission: We’re reintroducing a small fleet of human-driven vehicles in select cities — starting in Phoenix,” Cruise posted on X. “These vehicles will create maps and gather road information, a critical step for validating future self-driving systems. Read more about our renewed approach.”

The redeployment comes nearly five months after Cruise recalled its entire U.S. fleet following a collision in October that led to California regulators revoking the company’s license to operate in the state.

Cruise’s restart in Phoenix could be the beginning of a more refined robotaxi service. Before the October collision, in which a Cruise taxi dragged a pedestrian under the vehicle for several feet, Cruise had plans to expand to other markets in Texas and Florida rapidly.

The company now plans to spread slowly and regain consumer trust.

In Cruise’s absence, Google’s Waymo has pounced, expanding its service in California, Arizona and Texas.