Cruise CEO Steps Down Amid Self-Driving Car Safety Crisis

Kyle Vogt, CEO of Cruise, announced his resignation on Twitter. His departure from the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of General Motors follows recent high-profile developments, including the suspension of Cruise's driverless car testing permits in the state of California and the pausing of operations due to safety incidents and operational setbacks.

"Today I resigned from my position as CEO of Cruise," Vogt tweeted, and reflected on the company's journey, stating, "The last 10 years have been amazing, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped Cruise along the way.

“The startup I launched in my garage has given over 250,000 driverless rides across several cities, with each ride inspiring people with a small taste of the future," he wrote.

With Vogt stepping down, Mo Elshenawy, executive vice president of engineering at Cruise, will assume the roles of co-president and chief technology officer. Craig Glidden will also serve as co-president while continuing as chief administrative officer. 

Founded a decade ago, Cruise made early strides in urban mobility by offering driverless rides. However, recent incidents have raised questions about autonomous vehicles' safety.

This year, a pedestrian was fatally injured by a Cruise vehicle, leading to a recall of all 950 company cars for software updates and the revocation of the company's operating license by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Cruise's statement indicated a commitment to rebuilding the company with a focus on safety, transparency, and trust.

Cruise's challenges illustrate the larger issues facing the autonomous vehicle industry. Concerns about vehicle performance—including unexpected stops that disrupt traffic or cause crashes—have affected Cruise and cast doubt on the broader adoption of fully autonomous passenger vehicles. The increased scrutiny from regulators all around the world suggests a possible shift towards more stringent regulation of the industry.

Cruise, initially a startup and later a major part of General Motors' portfolio, reflects a substantial investment in autonomous transportation technology. Vogt, an MIT graduate and co-founder of Twitch, has been a key figure in the venture.

Just days before Vogt’s resignation, the company’s board announced a series of strategic changes, including the elevation of GM’s Executive Vice President of Legal and Policy and Cruise board member Craig Glidden to “oversee the workstreams around Transparency and Community Engagement,” Cruise announced. Glidden was also named Chief Administrative Officer for Cruise and the company said it would hire a permanent Chief Safety Officer.

Neither Vogt nor Cruise replied to Decrypt’s request for comments.

Vogt's resignation marks a significant turn for Cruise, considering that Vogt has been at the company's heart since its creation. His departure comes as the entire autonomous car industry grapples with balancing innovation with safety and public trust.

Edited by Ryan Ozawa.