• The NHTSA has closed its preliminary investigation into General Motors' Cruise robotaxis.
• Incidents involving pedestrian collisions raised significant safety concerns regarding these self-driving vehicles.
• GM has decided to cease funding its Cruise unit and halt robotaxi operations underlying a shift in strategy.
• The investigation was prompted by reports of accidents, including a serious incident where a pedestrian was dragged.
• Despite the closure, the NHTSA retains the authority to reopen the investigation if new evidence arises.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has concluded its investigation into General Motors' Cruise robotaxis, initially launched in October 2023 in response to concerns regarding pedestrian safety. The inquiry examined whether Cruise's Automated Driving System (ADS) exhibited adequate caution in pedestrian interactions after reports emerged involving collisions. These incidents included five pedestrian-related collisions, with three leading to injuries, prompting scrutiny regarding the technology's performance in safeguarding individuals on the roadway as noted in the reports from Reuters.

The investigation revealed that in each situation, while the Cruise vehicle attempted to take avoiding actions, it was unfortunately unable to prevent the collisions. Notably, in October 2023, an incident involving a Cruise robotaxi dragging a pedestrian after contact with another vehicle led to significant regulatory concerns and prompted a temporary suspension of operations.

Furthermore, the NHTSA has recognized a November 2023 recall issued by Cruise, aimed at addressing identified safety defects in its ADS. This recall effectively resulted in all versions of the ADS ceasing operations on public roads, as highlighted in the announcement from AP News. GM subsequently made the decision to retreat from the robotaxi business after significant financial losses, transitioning Cruise's resources into driver assistance technology development. This move came in the wake of the company investing over $10 billion into the division since acquiring Cruise in 2016.

The closure of the NHTSA's preliminary inquiry does not rule out the possibility of future actions should new situations warrant further investigation. As noted, the agency retains the right to re-open the case if developments suggest the need for renewed scrutiny, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to pedestrian safety and regulatory vigilance.