GM's Cruise heads down new road with new robotaxi concept

This undated image provided by Cruise shows a rendering of an unorthodox electric vehicle called "Origin" being developed by GM's Cruise subsidiary. It was unveiled Jan 21 in San Francisco. — AP

SAN FRANCISCO: General Motors' self-driving car company will attempt to deliver on its long-running promise to provide a more environmentally friendly ride-hailing service in an unorthodox vehicle designed to eliminate the need for human operators to transport people around crowded cities.

The service still being developed by GM's Cruise subsidiary will rely on a boxy, electric-powered vehicle called "Origin" that was unveiled late Jan 21 in San Francisco amid much fanfare. It looks like a cross between a mini-van and sports utility vehicle with one huge exception – it won't have any steering wheel or brakes. The Origin will accommodate up to four passengers at a time, although a single customer will be able summon it for a ride just as people already can ask for a car with a human behind the wheel from Uber or Lyft.