We’re starting to catch glimpses of a world remade by technological advances that will form a fourth industrial revolution. The craziest part? Technological disruption in the 21st century is different. Societies had years to adapt to change driven by the steam engine, electricity, and the computer. Today, change is instant and ubiquitous. It arrives digitally across the globe all at once. So with Uber, Lift, and General Motors all trying to get ahead in the game of self-driving cars, who’s going to take the cake?
General Motors Self-driving Chevy Bolt EV
A woman gets in a self-driving Chevy Bolt EV during a media event by Cruise, GM’s autonomous car unit, in San Francisco on Wednesday. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters
Legacy carmaker General Motors is trying to slay the game with a new service that is set to compete with Uber and Lyft. It was said that the company is rushing to launch autonomous vehicles for a ride-hailing service. The robotic vehicles will be battery-powered Chevy Bolts that are being developed by Cruise Automation. They’re expected to pop up on American streets without a driver in 2019.
GM officials haven’t said where they plan to launch autonomous ride-sharing fleets but they believe the biggest opportunities are in the coastal areas.
