Are you one of the many people who have wondered if Cruise is owned by Google? You’re not alone.
In recent years, there has been a lot of speculation about whether or not Google has invested in or acquired the autonomous vehicle company. Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between Cruise and Google to see if there’s any truth to these rumors.
What is Cruise?
First, let’s start with an introduction to Cruise. Cruise is an autonomous vehicle company that was founded in 2013 by Kyle Vogt. The company is based in San Francisco and focuses on developing self-driving cars that can operate safely and efficiently on public roads.
The Relationship Between Cruise and Google
Now, let’s move on to the question at hand: Is Cruise owned by Google? The short answer is no, Cruise is not owned by Google. However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some connection between the two companies.
In 2016, General Motors acquired Cruise for a reported $1 billion. At the time of the acquisition, there were rumors that Google was also interested in acquiring the company. However, those rumors turned out to be false.
While Google did not acquire Cruise outright, it does have some connections to the company. In 2018, Honda invested $2.75 billion in GM’s self-driving car division, which includes Cruise. As part of that investment, Honda pledged to work with GM and Cruise on developing autonomous vehicles.
It’s also worth noting that Waymo, which is Alphabet’s self-driving car division (Alphabet being Google’s parent company), has been working on developing autonomous vehicles for several years now. Waymo is seen as one of the leaders in this space and has even launched a ride-hailing service using self-driving cars in select cities.
The Future of Autonomous Vehicles
So while there may be some connections between Cruise and Google, the two companies are not directly linked. However, the fact that Google was reportedly interested in acquiring Cruise is a testament to the potential that autonomous vehicles have.
Many experts believe that self-driving cars will become increasingly common in the coming years. These vehicles have the potential to reduce accidents and traffic congestion, as well as make transportation more accessible for people who are unable to drive themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cruise is not owned by Google. However, there are some connections between the two companies, including Honda’s investment in GM’s self-driving car division (which includes Cruise) and Waymo’s work on autonomous vehicles.
Regardless of whether or not Google has a direct stake in Cruise, it’s clear that self-driving cars are poised to change the way we think about transportation. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more and more autonomous vehicles on our roads in the years to come.