Close Menu
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    • Home
    • Leadership Alliance
    • Exclusives
    • Internet Governance
      • Regulation
      • Governance Bodies
      • Emerging Tech
    • IT Infrastructure
      • Networking
      • Cloud
      • Data Centres
    • Company Stories
      • Profiles
      • Startups
      • Tech Titans
      • Partner Content
    • Others
      • Fintech
        • Blockchain
        • Payments
        • Regulation
      • Tech Trends
        • AI
        • AR/VR
        • IoT
      • Video / Podcast
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Home » Cruise to Launch First Ever Wheelchair-Accessible Car
    btw-media
    Uncategorized

    Cruise to Launch First Ever Wheelchair-Accessible Car

    By Bal MarsiusSeptember 15, 2023Updated:November 22, 2023No Comments2 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Image credit: Cruise

    Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company owned by General Motors, has revealed a self-driving car that’s accessible for wheelchair users, known as the Cruise WAV. This vehicle, to be introduced in San Francisco, aims to enhance mobility options for people with disabilities, a group encompassing around 42 million Americans. Cruise intends to kick off a pilot program for the WAV next year.

    More Accessible Transportation  

    The primary goal of the WAV is to broaden transportation choices for individuals with disabilities, addressing a significant need. Carrie Morton, GM’s Chief Engineer of Accessibility, emphasized the importance of accessibility within the autonomous vehicle sector.

    Key attributes of the Cruise WAV are a user-friendly ramp and a wheelchair securement system, with enough room for one wheelchair user and a companion. Cruise worked closely with experts in the disability community and accessible vehicle and equipment manufacturers to ensure the WAV meets high accessibility standards.

    Testing of Wheelchair-Accessible Robotaxi in Bay Area  

    Set to launch in October, the WAV will be the world’s first self-driving vehicle designed specifically for wheelchair accessibility.

    Created to tackle transportation challenges encountered by wheelchair users, the WAV features a retractable ramp that enables independent boarding from the curb, along with two securement systems: one for power wheelchairs and another using straps for manual wheelchairs.

    The exact timeline for deploying Cruise WAVs for commercial use in San Francisco remains uncertain, as it awaits regulatory approvals. Nevertheless, the announcement of this pioneering robotaxi signifies an advancement for the disability community.

    Michele Lee, Cruise’s Senior Public Affairs Manager for Accessibility, highlighted the potential impact of the WAV on nearly 6 million wheelchair users in the United States.

    The upcoming closed-circuit testing phase in Concord in October will focus on refining ramp deployment under real-world conditions, seat-belt design, and ensuring compatibility of securement systems with various wheelchair models.

    New Robotaxi Regulation is a Boon

    Cruise’s mission is to enhance accessibility and enable individuals to use its services independently. This announcement comes after California regulators granted Cruise and Waymo unrestricted commercial expansion rights for robotaxis in San Francisco.

    Amid ongoing debates about the readiness of Cruise and Waymo to safely deploy robotaxis, the Cruise WAV brings hope to people with disabilities. People who use a wheelchair anticipate improved and expanded robotaxi services.

    The Cruise WAV is our next big step toward a more inclusive and accessible future for mobility.

    Bal Marsius

    Bal was BTW's copywriter specialising in tech and productivity tools. He has experience working in startups, mid-size tech companies, and non-profits.

    Related Posts

    ZebraNet Botswana internet and hosting services

    July 9, 2025

    Top tech news today: 8 July, 2025

    July 8, 2025

    CityFibre brings first gigabit to Buckinghamshire

    July 7, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    CATEGORIES
    Archives
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023

    Blue Tech Wave (BTW.Media) is a future-facing tech media brand delivering sharp insights, trendspotting, and bold storytelling across digital, social, and video. We translate complexity into clarity—so you’re always ahead of the curve.

    BTW
    • About BTW
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Team
    TERMS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.