Crusie fined $1.5M in connection to crash that sidelined robotaxis

• Cruise was fined $1.5 million by the NHTSA for failing to disclose details of a 2023 robotaxi crash
• Cruise must meet quarterly with the NHTSA, for a minimum two years, to provide updates on its robotaxi program
• Cruise hasn’t said when its robotaxi service will be running again

General Motors-backed self-driving technology company Cruise has been fined $1.5 million by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for failing to fully disclose details surrounding a crash involving a Cruise robotaxi last year, the agency said on Monday.

The NHTSA has also handed Cruise a consent order that will require the company to meet with the agency quarterly to provide updates on the robotaxi program. The consent order will last two years, but with an option for the NHTSA to extend it by an additional year.

The crash at the center of the issue took place in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2023, in which a female pedestrian was thrown into the path of a Cruise robotaxi after she was involved in a hit-and-run with a vehicle in the lane adjacent to the robotaxi.

Cruise’s robotaxi braked to avoid the impact but still came into contact with the pedestrian. Following an initial stop, the robotaxi then continued for another 20 feet in an attempt to pull over, which Cruise said was done to avoid further road safety issues.

That post-crash maneuver resulted in the robotaxi dragging the pedestrian, and wasn’t initially disclosed by Cruise. The NHTSA only became aware of it after requesting for extra video footage from Cruise.

“It is vitally important for companies developing automated-driving systems to prioritize safety and transparency from the start,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said in a statement.

The fine and consent order doesnt affect another investigation by the NHTSA into instances where Cruise robotaxis have encroached on pedestrians while they were making road crossings.

Cruise was forced to sideline its robotaxis in California following the 2023 crash, after the state pulled the company’s license. Cruise followed up by sidelining its robotaxi fleet in other states, but started returning some to the road in May, albeit for testing only and with a safety driver behind the wheel at all times. The company hasn’t said yet when it expects its robotaxis to be back in operation without a safety driver.