Federal security regulators have uncovered 9 extra incidents that elevate questions concerning the security of Waymo’s self-driving vehicles working in Phoenix and San Francisco.
The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration’s Workplace of Defect Investigation (ODI) earlier this month launched an investigation into Waymo’s self-driving software program after receiving 22 reviews of surprising robotic taxi actions that led to crashes and doubtlessly violated visitors security legal guidelines. The investigation, which has been described as a “preliminary analysis”, is trying on the software program and its potential to keep away from collisions with stationary objects, in addition to how nicely it detects and responds to “visitors security management gadgets” comparable to cones.
The company mentioned Friday it had added 9 extra incidents for the reason that investigation started. Waymo couldn’t be reached for remark; TechCrunch will replace the article if the Alphabet-owned firm responds.
Waymo has reported a few of these incidents. The remaining had been found by regulators by way of public posts on social media and boards comparable to Reddit, YouTube and X. An extra 9 incidents embrace reviews of Waymo’s robotaxi colliding with gates, utility poles and parked automobiles whereas touring within the improper lane with oncoming visitors. and in development zones.
The ODI mentioned it was involved that “such surprising habits when driving a robotaxi may improve the chance of accident, property harm and damage”. The company mentioned that whereas it was not conscious of any accidents ensuing from these incidents, a number of concerned collisions with seen objects that “a reliable driver ought to have averted.” The company additionally expressed concern that a few of them occurred close to pedestrians.
NHTSA has given Waymo till June 11 to answer a sequence of questions concerning the investigation.
NHTSA has stepped up its investigation into automated driving expertise. Earlier this month, the company opened an investigation into autonomous automobiles operated by Amazon-backed Zoox. The investigation was launched after receiving two reviews of autonomous Toyota Highlanders being rear-ended by motorbikes after the SUVs unexpectedly utilized their brakes.