In a major shake-up for General Motors' autonomous vehicle unit, Cruise, CEO Kyle Vogt has announced his resignation. The move comes amidst growing concerns over the safety of self-driving cars, following a recent recall of all 950 Cruise vehicles. The recall was prompted by an incident in early October, where one of the autonomous vehicles dragged a pedestrian to the side of a San Francisco street. As a result, the California Department of Motor Vehicles revoked Cruise's license.

Cruise had previously announced the suspension of operations to conduct a comprehensive review led by independent experts. The company stated that the results of these ongoing reviews would inform their next steps toward building a safer and more transparent Cruise. They remain committed to advancing autonomous vehicle (AV) technology to make transportation safer, cleaner, and more accessible.

The approval Cruise received last year to transport fare-paying passengers has been overshadowed by complaints. Critics argue that the autonomous vehicles have been making unexpected stops, causing traffic congestion and compromising public safety. U.S. safety regulators also launched an investigation last year into reports that Cruise's robotaxis can stop abruptly or unexpectedly cease movement, potentially leaving passengers stranded.

These recent setbacks could have significant implications for the deployment of fully autonomous vehicles without human drivers. It may also lead to more stringent federal regulations for AVs, as they carry passengers in cities across the country. Previously, Cruise had been testing 300 robotaxis during the day, providing free rides, and another 100 at night, charging for rides in less congested parts of San Francisco.

Vogt, who had previously attributed most collisions to inattentive or impaired human drivers rather than AVs, has now stepped down. Cruise's board has accepted his resignation, and Mo Elshenawy, the current executive vice president of engineering, will assume the roles of president and chief technology officer. Additionally, Craig Glidden will serve as president and continue as chief administrative officer for Cruise.

General Motors had acquired a majority stake in Cruise when it was still a startup in 2016. In May 2021, they further invested to attain an 80% stake in the company. Vogt, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, was also a co-founder of Twitch, a popular livestreaming service that covers gaming, entertainment, sports, and music. In 2014, Amazon acquired Twitch for approximately $1 billion.

The developments at Cruise highlight the challenges and potential risks associated with the rapid advancement of autonomous vehicle technology. As the industry strives to address safety concerns and improve public perception, the resignation of Kyle Vogt and the subsequent leadership changes at Cruise mark a pivotal moment for the company and the broader AV sector.