Even though our success is defined by a lot of different factors, a notable one revolves around the way we adapt to the changing environment. You see, human life is pretty much designed to go through unique experiences, so if we stay reluctant about making the most of them, we limit our horizons rather significantly. However, while the stakes are clear, they don’t simplify the very process of adapting. The said reality will lead us to construct some helpful avenues along the way, and that’s exactly how’ll stumble upon technology. Technology was such a milestone discovery, because it promised us a future which we couldn’t have imagined even in our wildest dreams. In fact, the creation will outdo those initial impressions, therefore unlocking a much bigger dimension over time. The ripple effects that emerged from doing so are now evident throughout the spectrum, and Cruise’s latest decision should add a lot more to this progressive picture.
Cruise, the self-driving car unit of General Motors, has officially expanded its Walmart autonomous delivery pilot in Arizona. According to certain reports, the expansion makes Scottsdale and Chandler two of the only three Arizona cities that have this service available in their area, with Phoenix being the other one. While the decision is a big one in terms of turning autonomous delivery into something more mainstream, there is still some time before we see that happening. For now, though, the operation is supposed to have a limited functionality. Active between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the work days, the accessibility of this delivery option depends largely on the customers’ location. If it’s in the reach, the customer will then have to agree to receive delivery notifications. Once they approve, the concerned Walmart will initiate the delivery. Alongside real-time tracking, the customers can also expect to receive a notification when the vehicle is just two minutes away and when it has reached the destination. The delivery itself is your usual curbside pickup, except here instead of interacting with an employee, you just need your phone to unlock the car and grab your order.
Apart from deliveries, a large part of Cruise’s focus has been on its robotaxi services. However, the said segment is still yet to provide the company with any major commercial boost, as the wait for a permit continues to go on. Amid such circumstances, Cruise’s autonomous deliver pilot becomes all the more important.
“We’ll really see that flourish in Arizona first, and then it’ll be exported to the rest of the country,” said Carter Stern, senior government affairs manager at Cruise.