General Motors’ decision to cancel the Origin robotaxi project has sent ripples through the autonomous vehicle industry. This move, attributed to regulatory uncertainty and cost concerns, marks another chapter in GM’s complex history with cutting-edge automotive technology.
GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra announced during the Q2 2024 earnings report that development of the Origin would be halted. The company cited regulatory uncertainty and higher per-unit costs as primary factors in this decision. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism from industry insiders.
Kyle Vogt, co-founder and former CEO of Cruise, expressed disappointment over GM’s decision. He remarked, “Disappointed to see GM kill the Origin. Would have been amazing for cities.” Vogt’s comments highlight a pattern he perceives in GM’s approach to innovation.
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Vogt pointed out GM’s tendency to gain early advantages in emerging technologies, only to lose ground later. He stated, “GM repeatedly finds themselves with a 5-10 year head start, but then fumbles the ball, shuts things down, and loses the lead. Anyone remember the EV1?”
This reference to the EV1, GM’s pioneering electric vehicle from the 1990s, underscores a historical parallel that’s hard to ignore.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk offered a different take on GM’s decision. In response to an analyst’s comment about regulatory uncertainty, Musk asserted, “Well, obviously the real reason that they cancel it is because GM can’t make it work, not because the regulators, they’re blaming regulators.”
Elon’s critique extends beyond GM’s stated reasons, suggesting that technological challenges, rather than regulatory issues, are at the heart of the cancellation.
Despite the setback with Origin, GM isn’t abandoning its autonomous vehicle ambitions entirely. The company plans to pivot its self-driving efforts to the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV platform. This move suggests a more conservative approach to implementing autonomous vehicle technology.
GM’s decision raises questions about the broader autonomous vehicle landscape. While companies like Waymo continue to make progress in certain markets, GM’s retreat highlights the challenges facing even well-resourced players in this space.
The cancellation of the Origin project serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between technological innovation, regulatory frameworks, and market realities in the autonomous vehicle sector.
As the industry continues to evolve, GM’s origin-al vision for autonomous mobility may need to find a new route to realization.