A recent incident involving two self-driving cars and a towed vehicle has prompted a technology company to issue a voluntary recall of its self-driving car software. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, made the decision after a collision occurred in Phoenix at the end of last year.
During the incident on December 11, 2023, a self-driving vehicle from Waymo collided with a pickup truck that was improperly being towed in reverse. Following the initial collision, a second Waymo car also hit the towed truck moments later. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and only minor damage was sustained by the vehicles involved.
Waymo’s chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, stated that the company alerted the relevant authorities, including the Phoenix Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about the incident. An investigation discovered that the self-driving software incorrectly predicted the movement of the towed vehicle due to a mismatch in orientation.
In response to the incident, Waymo decided to update the software on its entire fleet, a process that began in late December and continued into 2024. After consulting with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the company determined that a voluntary recall was appropriate and submitted a report accordingly.
While Waymo has encountered previous collisions between its autonomous vehicles and other cars, the company has been taking steps to enhance safety measures. Additionally, Waymo has expanded its operations, including testing autonomous rides on freeways in Arizona.
Waymo remains committed to prioritizing safety and maintaining open communication with riders, community members, regulators, and policymakers. Through these efforts, the company aims to build trust and ensure the continued safety of its autonomous vehicle technology.
An FAQ section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
Q: What prompted Waymo to issue a voluntary recall of its self-driving car software?
A: Waymo decided to issue a voluntary recall of its self-driving car software after a recent incident involving two self-driving cars and a towed vehicle in Phoenix.
Q: Can you provide more details about the incident?
A: The incident occurred on December 11, 2023, when a self-driving vehicle from Waymo collided with a pickup truck that was being towed in reverse. A second Waymo car also hit the towed truck moments later. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and only minor damage was sustained by the vehicles involved.
Q: What was the cause of the collision?
A: An investigation revealed that the self-driving software incorrectly predicted the movement of the towed vehicle due to a mismatch in orientation.
Q: What actions did Waymo take in response to the incident?
A: Waymo decided to update the software on its entire fleet, a process that started in late December and continued into 2024. After consulting with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the company determined that a voluntary recall was appropriate and submitted a report accordingly.
Q: Has Waymo experienced similar incidents in the past?
A: Waymo has encountered previous collisions between its autonomous vehicles and other cars but has been working to enhance safety measures.
Q: What is Waymo’s commitment regarding safety?
A: Waymo remains committed to prioritizing safety and maintaining open communication with riders, community members, regulators, and policymakers.
Definitions for key terms or jargon used within the article:
– Self-driving cars: Vehicles that can operate without human input, using sensors, cameras, and software to navigate and make driving decisions.
– Tow truck: A vehicle used to transport disabled or illegally parked vehicles.
– Collision: The act of two or more objects coming into contact with each other.
– Fleet: A group or collection of vehicles owned or operated by an organization.
– Voluntary recall: A proactive recall of a product, initiated by the manufacturer, to address safety or performance issues.
– Autonomous: Operating independently, without human control or intervention.
Suggested related links to the main domain:
– Waymo (official website of Waymo, providing information about their self-driving technology and services)
– National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (official website of the NHTSA, responsible for ensuring vehicle safety in the United States)
– Alphabet (official website of Alphabet, the parent company of Google and Waymo)
The source of the article is from the blog maltemoney.com.br