Uber’s self-driving cars resume trials in Pittsburgh in manual mode

Uber’s self-driving cars are being manually driven on public roads in Pittsburgh after a fatal crash which prompted the company to pull out of its testing programme in North America. The company is trialling new safeguards which it says will improve vehicle fleet safety and performance. According to a report by Medium, Eric Meyhofer, head of Uber Advanced Technologies, says: “While we are eager to resume testing of our self-driving system, we see manual driving as an important first step in piloting thes
July 27, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
8336 Uber’s self-driving cars are being manually driven on public roads in Pittsburgh after a %$Linker: 2 Internal <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 4 35413 0 link-external fatal crash false /categories/utc/news/uber-ends-self-driving-programme-in-arizona/ false false%> which prompted the company to pull out of its testing programme in North America. The company is trialling new safeguards which it says will improve vehicle fleet safety and performance.


According to a report by %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Medium false https://medium.com/@UberATG/self-driving-cars-return-to-pittsburgh-roads-in-manual-mode-f83e506a04b9 false false%>, Eric Meyhofer, head of Uber Advanced Technologies, says: “While we are eager to resume testing of our self-driving system, we see manual driving as an important first step in piloting these safeguards.”

An Uber mission specialist will be behind the wheel to help maintain the vehicle’s safely while another specialist will be in the passenger seat to document notable events. They will carry out tasks involving data collection and keeping the vehicle’s HD map up to date.

Meyhofer says all mission specialists have completed new training modules for safe manual driving which include dedicated time in defensive and distracted driving courses as well as improved test track situational awareness drills.

All self-driving vehicles will feature a driver-monitoring system to help mission specialists remain focused while driving. The system sends an audio alert to the driver if it detects inattentive behaviour.

Additionally, built-in collision avoidance systems will activate emergency braking if there is a sudden change in traffic ahead of the vehicle. It will also send imminent collision warnings to the driver and passenger.

The self-driving cars also come with a front tablet, where turn-by-turn navigation and vehicle information is displayed.

Uber Advanced Technologies consists of an engineering team who are dedicated to self-driving technologies, mapping and vehicle safety.

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New look for Nissen at Intertraffic
    March 21, 2018
    Nissen is back at Intertraffic, this time sporting its new brand image that includes a revamped website and entire product information offering. The company, based in Germany for over 100 years, is a pioneer in mobile traffic safety devices such mobile warning systems, lights and lamps to complex LED applications and software solutions.
    Read More
  • Nexus to upgrade Tyne Wear Metro control room in UK
    July 27, 2018
    Nexus will install a computerised signalling control system at the Tyne and Wear Metro control room, in Newcastle, to help make train operations more efficient. The £12m project will take place from 4-5 August. Nexus is a UK public body which owns and manages Metro. The rapid transit and light rail system serves Newcastle upon Tyne, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland in the Tyne and Wear region. Derby-based technology company Resonate will supply the computerised signalling control system
    Read More
  • Impact of MaaS on taxi firms under spotlight at MaaS Market Conference
    January 24, 2019
    The impact of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) on the taxi and private hire sector will come under close scrutiny at the 2019 MaaS Market Conference in London on 20-21 March. Lauri Suokannas, head of business development for Helsinki Taxis, will share his company’s experience in participating in the MaaS platform that has been operating in the city since November 2017. Not only are such services seen by many as the future for urban transport, globally MaaS is also predicted to replace 2.3 billion urban priv
    Read More
  • MRL shows Compact Mini Mac 400
    March 21, 2018
    Among a range of equipment MRL is showcasing here at Intertraffic is the Mini Mac 400, an agile, compact machine, perfect for increasing productivity when applying thermoplastic intersection and lane markings. It has an easy-fill 400lb/181kg capacity material tank with an integral material pump, 100lb/45kg glass bead capacity, adjustable width ribbon extrusion die, 25hp LP-fuelled engine, and electronic skip line timing system.
    Read More

Highlighted Content