General Motors' (GM's) autonomous car subsidiary, Cruise, is entering the final testing phase for its autonomous ride-hailing service in Dallas, Texas. The company is now gradually testing fully driverless vehicles in the city (i.e., without a safety driver) with company employees and a small group of acquaintances.

Cruise intends to roll out a commercial robotaxi service publicly by the end of the year.

Dallas city officials are unable to regulate the operation of autonomous vehicles according to state law. However, the city’s Public Safety Committee has expressed concerns regarding the introduction of fully autonomous robotaxis in Dallas, including questions about police interactions and handling street closures.

General Motors expects Cruise to generate annual revenues of USD 50 billion by 2030. 

Analyst QuickTake: Cruise first announced plans to launch the service with a safety driver in Dallas and Houston, Texas, in May 2023. Today’s commencement of driverless operations brings the company one step closer to commercializing its service in Dallas. It already operates commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco, Austin, Phoenix, and, most recently, Houston.