Video: GM reveals Cruise AV

Shared autonomous vehicle (AV) the Cruise Origin has been unveiled by General Motors (GM).

New Zealand born Cruise chief executive (and former GM president) Dan Ammann and co-founder and chief technical officer Kyle Vogt showed off the Origin in San Francisco, explaining the all-electric driverless vehicle will be used for ride-sharing in partnership with Honda.

It can carry up to six people in two seat rows facing each other.

Ammann says the Origin is a production vehicle – not a concept – with more details to be released soon, and a cargo version to follow.

He reckons it costs about half what it takes to produce an electric SUV and is able to run about 1.6 million kilometres 24/7.

“There’s a lot more work to do,” Ammann says of the AV to get it on public roads.

Vogt says the roomy interior will avoid much of the discomfort people may feel in sharing a vehicle with others they don’t know.

Where and when the Origin will be produced should be known soon.