Waymo reported to the NHTSA that one of its driverless vehicles struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on January 23rd, leading to a NHTSA investigation. The child sustained minor injuries, and the collision occurred during school drop-off hours within two blocks of the school. The Waymo vehicle, operating without a human safety supervisor, was running on its 5th Generation Automated Driving System. The NHTSA will evaluate the vehicle’s caution, behavior in school zones, and Waymo’s post-impact response.
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Waymo, an autonomous ride-hailing service, is preparing to file a voluntary software recall due to reports of its self-driving vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation after documented instances, including incidents where Waymo vehicles drove past buses with flashing lights and extended stop arms, putting students at risk. Waymo attributes the issue to a software problem and aims to release updates to correct the issue, emphasizing that no injuries have occurred. Despite claiming a strong safety record, with fewer crashes than human drivers, Waymo is facing scrutiny from federal regulators and is expected to provide more detailed information on the incidents.
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KitKat, a cherished cat known for his friendly demeanor at Randa’s Market in San Francisco’s Mission District, tragically died after being struck by a Waymo robotaxi on October 27th. Witnesses reported that the cat was sitting near the stationary vehicle before it pulled away, resulting in the fatal incident. The community has expressed deep sadness, with Waymo offering condolences and a donation to an animal rights organization. This event highlights previous encounters of autonomous vehicles with animals, raising further safety concerns.
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Crowd sets Waymo self-driving vehicle ablaze in San Francisco
As I read the shocking news about a crowd setting a Waymo self-driving vehicle ablaze in San Francisco, I couldn’t help but reflect on the implications of such an act. It is undeniable that this incident highlights the growing public hostility towards autonomous vehicles, especially following the tragic pedestrian accident involving a General Motors’ Cruise unit last year.
The severity of this attack marks a new level of destructive hostility towards driverless vehicles. The fact that someone would go to the extreme of setting a car on fire raises questions about the motivations behind such behavior.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker