Kyle Vogt, the co-founder and CEO of Cruise, a self-driving car startup owned by General Motors, has resigned from his position effective immediately. The announcement comes less than a month after Cruise temporarily suspended all autonomous operations following a series of traffic mishaps.

Vogt’s departure marks a significant shift in leadership for Cruise, which has faced numerous challenges in its pursuit of developing a commercially viable self-driving car technology. The recent suspension of autonomous operations highlighted the company’s struggles to navigate the complexities of autonomous driving in real-world environments.

In a statement, Cruise’s board acknowledged the company’s challenges and expressed gratitude for Vogt’s leadership. “We are grateful for Kyle’s contributions to Cruise and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” the board stated.

The search for a new CEO is underway, and Cruise’s board expects to appoint a successor shortly. The company remains committed to developing and deploying self-driving cars, but it faces a daunting task in overcoming the technical and regulatory hurdles.

Vogt’s resignation underscores the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the development of self-driving car technology. Despite its significant resources and backing from General Motors, Cruise has encountered difficulties translating its technological advancements into a reliable and safe self-driving system.

The recent suspension of autonomous operations highlighted the potential risks associated with self-driving cars and the need for rigorous testing and validation before these vehicles can be widely deployed. The company’s struggles reflect the broader challenges faced by the self-driving car industry, which has faced setbacks and delays in its pursuit of commercialization.

Vogt’s departure may signal a shift in Cruise’s approach to self-driving car development. The company may focus on refining its technology and addressing safety concerns before scaling up its operations. Alternatively, Cruise may explore partnerships or collaborations with other companies to pool resources and expertise.

Kyle Vogt’s resignation as Cruise CEO marks a turning point for the company and the self-driving car industry. Cruise remains committed to its goal but faces significant challenges in overcoming technical hurdles and regulatory barriers. The appointment of a new CEO will be crucial in shaping Cruise’s future direction and determining its success in the race to develop a commercially viable self-driving car technology.