GM Invests $14M in Self-Driving Technologies

The American automaker will fund a new research and development facility for Cruise Automation in San Francisco, California.

The $14-million investment will add over 1,100 jobs for Cruise Automation, which GM acquired in March 2016. The investments will also allow Cruise Automation to expand development of self-driving technologies with the aim of transforming personal mobility. In addition to repurposing an existing facility in San Francisco, the new investment will also more than double Cruise Automation’s research and development space.

The team plans on moving into the new space by the end of the year, and the additional employees will join the company over the next five years.

SEE ALSO: Self-Driving Chevrolet Bolt Prototypes Heading to Arizona for Testing

The two companies are currently testing over 50 Chevrolet Bolt EVs with self-driving technology on public roads in San Francisco, California; Scottsdale, Arizona and metro Detroit.

“Expanding our team at Cruise Automation and linking them with our global engineering talent is another important step in our work to redefine the future of personal mobility,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “Self-driving technology holds enormous benefits to society in the form of increased safety and access to transportation. Running our autonomous vehicle program as a start-up is giving us the speed we need to continue to stay at the forefront of development of these technologies and the market applications.”