A driverless Waymo automobile collided with a bicycle owner in San Francisco on Tuesday however the bicyclist suffered solely minor scratches and left the scene on their very own, the corporate mentioned by e mail.
Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit, mentioned it referred to as the police to the scene and that it was additionally contacting related authorities concerning the incident.
Waymo mentioned its automobile was at an entire cease at a four-way intersection when a big truck become the intersection. At its flip to proceed, the Waymo automobile moved ahead.
Nonetheless, the bicycle owner was behind the truck and never seen as they crossed into the Waymo automobile’s path. When the bicycle owner was absolutely seen, the Waymo’s automobile braked closely, however wasn’t in a position to keep away from the collision, the corporate mentioned.
A San Francisco Fireplace Division spokesperson mentioned by e mail {that a} 911 name was made reporting the collision and the bicycle owner was not transported to the hospital. They mentioned the San Francisco Police Division was investigating the incident.
The San Francisco Police Division and the Division of Motor Autos didn’t reply to a Reuters request for remark.
Waymo has sought to broaden its driverless service in Los Angeles, the place it’s now testing rides and permitting new rides solely by invitation.
However robotic automobile corporations have run into resistance from some lawmakers and residents who concern the automobiles are as but unproven and pose a security threat.
GM’s Cruise self-driving automobile unit revealed probes by the U.S. Justice Division and Securities and Trade Fee final month, after an accident through which one among its robotaxis struck a pedestrian and dragged her 20 toes.
Final 12 months, greater than two dozen unions urged U.S. auto security regulators to open an industry-wide probe into driverless automobiles, deeming them “unsafe and untenable of their present kind” because of a excessive variety of crash incidents.
