GM-backed Cruise buys self-driving startup Voyage

  • Voyage's technology tam will work on Cruise Origin, the dedicated self-driving shuttle of the company.
Voyage shuttle. (Photo courtesy: voyage.auto)
Voyage shuttle. (Photo courtesy: voyage.auto)

General Motors’ self-driving subsidiary Cruise has decided to acquire Voyage, an autonomous driving vehicle startup that operates in retirement communities. The acquisition is an addition to the ongoing consolidation in the self-driving vehicle segment across the world. However, both the companies are tightlipped about the cost of the Cruise-Voyage deal.

Also Read : Alphabet's Waymo says its tech would avoid fatal human crashes

Voyage CEO Oliver Cameron has announced the deal in a blog post. He will join Cruise as Vice President of Product. Cameron has also said that key members of Voyage’s technology team will be working on Cruise Origin, the dedicated self-driving shuttle of the company. A majority of the autonomous driving technology startup’s 60 employees are likely to join Cruise, as revealed by a spokesperson of the company.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon220.0 cc Mileage Icon40.0 kmpl
₹ 1.17 - 1.38 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Force Motors Gurkha (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2596.0 cc FuelType IconDiesel
₹ 13.59 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Mean Metal Motors Azani (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon120 Kwh Range Icon700 km
₹ 88 - 90 Lakhs
View Details
Force Motors Gurkha 5 Door (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon2596 cc FuelType IconDiesel
₹ 16 Lakhs
View Details
Revolt Motors Rv400 (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon3.24 KWh Range Icon150 Km
₹ 1.40 - 1.60 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Velev Motors Vio (HT Auto photo)
Range Icon70 km/charge
₹52,000
Compare

Several mainstream automakers across the world have been working on self-driving technology. Besides the frontrunners like Volvo and Tesla, General Motors too is a part of the race. The company holds the most of the share in Cruise that has remained at the front row of the self-driving technology research and development since GM acquired the company in 2016. Among other investors of the Cruise are Honda Motor Company, SoftBank Vision Fund, Microsoft etc.

Currently, Cruise has more than 200 vehicles in its registered testing fleet of autonomous vehicles. However, the company is yet to announce its plans to offer the robotaxis to the public in San Francisco. With the acquisition of Voyage, the R&D of autonomous vehicle technologies will certainly gain further momentum.

While companies such as Uber Technologies have already given up on developing indigenous autonomous driving technology, several other companies in the sector have been pushing hard to develop the next phase of the technology through the merger and acquisition route. For example, Zoox has been sold to Amazon. In the self-driving technology sector, Alphabet’s Waymo remains the most high-profile company with a publicly operational vehicle fleet in Arizona.

First Published Date: 16 Mar 2021, 15:40 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.