GM robotaxi unit offers $75,000 to resolve Californian probe

The robotaxi unit of American multinational General Motors has offered to pay up $75,000 to resolve a California Public Utilities Commission investigation.

The Commission is investigating the automaker over its failure to disclose details of a pedestrian crash, that occurred in October last year.

In December, the commission had ordered Cruise to appear at a hearing scheduled for February 6.

Californian authorities investigating the matter cited GM for misleading the commission "through omission" on the extent and seriousness of the accident.

It also rebuked the Chevrolet carmaker for "misleading public comments" on interactions with the panel.

Cruise had fired nine executives last month after the incident.

The automaker had instead sought for the hearing to be deferred, asking for an alternative mode of dispute resolution, which hints at a settlement bid by the auto giant.

The company has retained law firm Quinn Emanuel to examine its response to the October 2 incident, as per a filing on Friday.

The investigation was expected to be completed with findings made public before February 6.

Past Warnings

In October, California had ordered General Motors' Cruise unit to remove its driverless cars from state roads, citing a risk to the public.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accused the company of "misrepresenting" the safety of the technology, and suspended Cruise's autonomous vehicle deployment and driverless testing permit.

This put a halt to the company’s efforts to test the cars without safety drivers.