Self-driving car company Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has taken proactive measures by filing a voluntary recall report with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following an unusual collision incident involving one of its vehicles and a truck in Phoenix, Arizona. The company made the decision to file the report after consulting with the NHTSA and conducting an internal review of the incident.
The collision, which occurred on December 11, 2023, was described by Waymo as a “rare scenario” and resulted in no injuries and minor vehicle damage. Waymo attributed the collision to the improper towing of a pickup truck that was angled across a center turn lane and a traffic lane. Following the initial contact, another Waymo vehicle made contact with the same pickup truck while it was being towed in the same manner.
In response to the incident, Waymo promptly updated the software running on its entire fleet between December 20, 2023, and January 12, 2024. The company ensured that the software update did not interrupt its ride-hailing service by implementing repairs through over-the-air (OTA) updates rather than physical recalls of the vehicles.
Waymo’s proactive approach aims to inform vehicle owners about the need for a software update to address the issue identified during the collision incident. The company reaffirmed its commitment to deploying technology safely and transparently communicating with the public. Additionally, Waymo noted that it had notified relevant authorities, including the Phoenix Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the NHTSA, about the collisions.
This voluntary recall comes in the wake of another incident that occurred in San Francisco, where a Waymo self-driving taxi was destroyed by an angry mob. Despite facing these challenges, Waymo remains committed to advancing its autonomous technology and ensuring the safety of its vehicles, which have already driven over 10 million fully autonomous miles and completed more than 1 million ride-hail trips. The company’s extensive research indicates that its vehicles’ performance contributes to a significant reduction in police-reported and injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers in the cities where they operate.
FAQ:
1. What prompted Waymo to file a voluntary recall report?
Waymo filed a voluntary recall report with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following a collision incident involving one of its vehicles and a truck in Phoenix, Arizona.
2. What was the nature of the collision incident?
The collision incident, which occurred on December 11, 2023, was described as a “rare scenario” by Waymo. It resulted in no injuries and minor vehicle damage. Waymo attributed the collision to the improper towing of a pickup truck.
3. How did Waymo address the issue identified?
Waymo promptly updated the software running on its entire fleet between December 20, 2023, and January 12, 2024. The company implemented repairs through over-the-air (OTA) updates to ensure that the software update did not interrupt its ride-hailing service.
4. What is Waymo’s approach to addressing the issue?
Waymo aims to inform vehicle owners about the need for a software update and remains committed to deploying technology safely and transparently communicating with the public. The company also notified relevant authorities about the collisions and conducted an internal review of the incident.
5. Are there any related incidents?
Yes, there was another incident in San Francisco where a Waymo self-driving taxi was destroyed by an angry mob. However, Waymo remains committed to advancing autonomous technology and ensuring the safety of its vehicles.
Definitions:
– Waymo: A self-driving car company and subsidiary of Alphabet (Google’s parent company).
– National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The US agency responsible for ensuring the safety of motor vehicles and road users.
– Over-the-air (OTA) update: A method of updating software wirelessly, without the need for physical recalls of vehicles.
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The source of the article is from the blog kunsthuisoaleer.nl