Cruise and Numotion Partner to Bring Free Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) service to Houston

New Pilot Program Enhances Mobility and Independence; Reduces Repair Wait Times for Houston’s Wheelchair Users

Houston, TX – Dec. 4, 2024 – Cruise, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, has partnered with Numotion, the nation’s leading provider of wheelchairs and mobility solutions, to introduce a six-month wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) pilot program in Houston. This initiative offers free, dependable transportation for qualifying Numotion customers, enabling travel to and from Numotion’s Houston facility for essential wheelchair repairs. The pilot aims to enhance accessibility and reduce wait times, providing critical support to meet the mobility needs of the community.

In close collaboration with Numotion and General Motors’ Accessibility Center of Excellence, this pilot program utilizes two human-driven award-winning Chevy Traverses, upfitted with wheelchair-accessible modifications by BraunAbility, the leader in accessible vehicle solutions. Cruise has developed a specific training for WAV drivers to ensure they can safely and effectively assist riders using the service. When Numotion identifies a client within the pilot’s service area, the client can opt to schedule a ride with Cruise to travel to the Numotion facility for in-person wheelchair service and repairs, which can dramatically reduce wait times compared to scheduling in-home repairs.

“Numotion is excited to partner with Cruise to offer a seamless and convenient solution for wheelchair users in the Houston area. By providing transportation to and from repair appointments, we're alleviating a significant stressor and providing a way for our customers to receive their service and repair faster,” said Mike Swinford, CEO of Numotion. “We're constantly striving to innovate and improve the lives of our customers, and this collaboration demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing beneficial customer experiences." 

"Accessibility is core to our mission at Cruise. This pilot program with Numotion is doing more than providing accessible rides – it’s about empowering people in the community with greater mobility and independence, while also building learnings to better our service in the future," said Craig Glidden, President and Chief Administrative Officer at Cruise.

This WAV pilot will operate across over 90 zip codes across Houston, including: 

77001, 77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77008, 77009, 77010, 77011, 77012, 77018, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77023, 77024, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77029, 77030, 77033, 77036, 77046, 77051, 77052, 77054, 77055, 77056, 77057, 77063, 77074, 77080, 77081, 77087, 77092, 77096, 77098, 77201, 77202, 77203, 77204, 77206, 77207, 77208, 77210, 77212, 77215, 77216, 77219, 77220, 77221, 77222, 77223, 77224, 77225, 77226, 77227, 77228, 77229, 77230, 77231, 77233, 77235, 77236, 77237, 77243, 77248, 77249, 77251, 77252, 77253, 77254, 77255, 77256, 77257, 77261, 77262, 77263, 77265, 77266, 77270, 77271, 77274, 77280, 77284, 77288, 77292, 77293, 77297, 77299, 77401, 77402.

About Cruise

Cruise is dedicated to building the world’s most advanced self-driving vehicles, safely connecting people with the places, things and experiences they care about – allowing people to focus on the journey, not the road. Majority-owned by General Motors since 2016, Cruise is investing in innovative technology and working to improve safety for all road users, with a strong foundation of manufacturing and automotive excellence. Cruise operates supervised, fully electric autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Houston, Dallas and Phoenix and the South Bay of California. In addition to General Motors, Cruise has received funding from other leading companies and investors, including Honda, Microsoft, T. Rowe Price and Walmart. For more information, visit www.getcruise.com. 

About Numotion

Numotion is the nation’s largest and leading provider of products and services that provide mobility, health and personal independence. Numotion’s focus in Complex Rehab Technology (CRT), urological supplies, home accessibility, accessible vehicles and other assistive technology helps improve the lives of people with disabilities by enabling them to actively participate in everyday life. CRT is medically necessary, individually configured mobility products and services, including manual and power wheelchairs, designed to meet the unique medical and functional needs of individuals with significant disabilities and medical conditions to provide them with greater independence. Based in Brentwood, Tenn., Numotion has more than 150 locations across the country and serves more than 260,000 people. At Numotion, Mobility and Independence Start Here. For more information, please visit www.numotion.com.