Cruise Recalls Driverless Cars Following Accident: What You Need to Know
In a surprising turn of events, Cruise, General Motors’ self-driving unit, is recalling 950 of its driverless cars from the roads across the United States. And that’s not all – there may be more recalls to come. The reason behind this decision? An accident involving one of its robotaxis.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the collision detection subsystem of the Cruise Automated Driving Systems (ADS) software may not respond properly after a crash. This flaw prompted the recall, as stated on the NHTSA website.
The incident that triggered this recall occurred last month in San Francisco. A pedestrian was struck by a hit-and-run driver and thrown into an adjacent lane. Unfortunately, the pedestrian was hit a second time by a Cruise robotaxi that couldn’t stop in time. This incident raised concerns about the safety of Cruise’s driverless cars.
Immediate action
To address these concerns, Cruise has taken immediate action. They have deployed an over-the-air software update on all their supervised test fleet vehicles. Additionally, all affected driverless vehicles will be repaired before they are allowed back on the roads.
GM’s Cruise made the decision to recall its driverless cars after conducting a thorough analysis of the autonomous vehicle’s response to the accident. The company has also hinted that more recalls may be on the horizon.
In a statement to Reuters, Cruise said, “Today we have issued a voluntary recall of part of our AV software based on a new analysis of our AV’s post-collision response on October 2nd.” This proactive approach demonstrates Cruise’s commitment to ensuring the safety of their vehicles and the public.
Cruise is under scrutiny
It’s worth noting that Cruise has been under scrutiny lately. The California Department of Motor Vehicles recently ordered the suspension of all operations nationwide. Requires Cruise to remove its driverless cars from state roads. Furthermore, the company is currently facing multiple federal investigations regarding the safety of its cars, particularly incidents where the robot cars failed to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Despite these setbacks, Cruise remains determined to compete in the race to bring robot cars to the market. With operations in Phoenix, Arizona; Houston, Austin, and Dallas in Texas; and Miami, Florida, Cruise is up against formidable competitors like Alphabet’s Waymo unit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cruise’s decision to recall its driverless cars following the accident is a significant step towards ensuring the safety of autonomous vehicles. By taking swift action and conducting thorough analyses, Cruise aims to address any potential flaws in their software and regain public trust. As the race for autonomous vehicles continues, it will be interesting to see how Cruise and its competitors navigate the challenges and deliver on the promise of a driverless future.
Photo: Freepik.com
