CEO of GM's self-driving cars division resigns after permits are revoked over pedestrian injuries and safety concerns

Kyle Vogt, CEO and founder of General Motors' self-driving car division, has resigned amid controversy over the company's overall car safety and recent incidents involving a pedestrian.

Vogt founded Cruise in 2013 before selling 80% of the company to GM in 2016 for $581 million. Half of the price went to the founder in cash, and the rest was in GM stock.

After an early October 2023 incident that garnered national headlines, Cruise was put under the spotlight over safety concerns with the robotic taxis.

A pedestrian in San Francisco was reportedly critically injured when hit by a human-controlled car, then was hit by a Cruise autonomous vehicle. The pedestrian was trapped under the Cruise vehicle, CNN reported, and dragged for 20 feet as it attempted to pull out of traffic at seven miles per hour.

Weeks later, California's Department of Motor Vehicles announced it had suspended the permits that allowed the autonomous car company to test in the state.

A press release from the DMV confirmed that Cruise would no longer be allowed to operate its self-driving taxis on public roads due to safety concerns.

It was revealed days later that the California DMV accused Cruise of withholding video of the aforementioned incident. It was alleged that video provided from the car's onboard cameras stopped shortly after the pedestrian was hit.

The government body said that Cruise did not inform regulators that the car dragged the pedestrian across the roadway.

Cruise denied to CNN that it withheld any video from the DMV and said it had indeed shared the full video upon request.

Approximately two weeks after the company lost its permits, Cruise announced a recall of all 950 self-driving taxis to conduct software updates.

The GM division has since confirmed its acceptance of Vogt's resignation but said it won't be dropping the company nor shift its direction.

"GM has made a bold commitment to autonomous vehicle technology because we believe in the profound, positive impact it will have on societies, including saving countless lives," GM said in a statement.

"We believe strongly in Cruise’s mission and the transformative technology it is developing. We fully support the actions that Cruise leadership is taking to ensure that it is putting safety first and building trust and credibility with government partners, regulators, and the broader community," the statement continued.

California's DMV previously stated that Cruise was given the steps required to reinstate its permits. However, the DMV said it will not approve them until the company's actions are "to the department’s satisfaction."

"Our commitment to Cruise with the goal of commercialization remains steadfast," GM added.

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