NTSB: Uber’s AV in fatal crash ‘had software issues’

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found that an Uber autonomous vehicle which killed Elaine Herzberg last year had software flaws. NTSB released a report which says the Volvo XC60’s autonomous system software classified the pedestrian as an unknown object and determined that an emergency braking manoeuvre was needed to mitigate the collision. Uber confirmed that emergency braking manoeuvres must be carried out manually and the system is not designed to alert the driver. Data
November 6, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

The US 5628 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found that an 8336 Uber autonomous vehicle which %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external killed false https://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/uber-ends-self-driving-programme-in-arizona/ false false%> Elaine Herzberg last year had software flaws.

NTSB released a %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external report false https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms/search/hitlist.cfm?docketID=62978&amp;CurrentPage=2&amp;EndRow=30&amp;StartRow=16&amp;order=1&amp;sort=0&amp;TXTSEARCHT= false false%> which says the 609 Volvo XC60’s autonomous system software classified the pedestrian as an unknown object and determined that an emergency braking manoeuvre was needed to mitigate the collision.

Uber confirmed that emergency braking manoeuvres must be carried out manually and the system is not designed to alert the driver.

Data retrieved from the autonomous system revealed that the vehicle operator engaged the steering wheel less than a second before impact while the vehicle was travelling at 39mph.

The NTSB reviewed Uber’s autonomous system cameras which revealed that Herzberg did not look in the direction of the vehicle just before impact.

An inward-facing video showed the vehicle operator glancing down toward the centre of the vehicle several times before the crash. A post-crash interview with NTSB investigators revealed that she was monitoring the autonomous system’s interface.

The NTSB is working with Uber, Volvo Cars and the 6576 Arizona Department of Transportation to compile a complete account of the crash.

Uber is not the only company whose AV trials have led to a fatality. Last year, a Tesla vehicle operating in %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external autopilot false https://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/tesla-car-crash-in-california-kills-driver-while-running-on-autopilot/ false false%> in California caught fire after crashing into a roadside barrier that killed the driver. 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • EDI webinar - iCITE Data Aggregator DA-300
    January 24, 2017
    Eberle Design (EDI) is re-broadcasting its 45 minute webinar on the EDI and Reno A&E (RAE) iCITE Data Aggregator DA-300 on 31 January at 0900 MST/1000 EST. The webinar will show traffic operations technicians and traffic engineers how the data aggregator monitors and reports on mission critical traffic cabinet or intersection faults via SMS or email. It will also feature an update on the G2 User Interface. Co-presented by EDI vice president of Business Development Dr Bill Sowell and Technical Product
    Read More
  • Safence Super C slope fence makes the MASH grade
    March 21, 2018
    The Safence Super C-profile wire rope slope fence from Blue Systems is now MASH accredited. The Super C is used on slopes and side areas of roads, as well as medians and is available in a range of systems in accordance with NCHRP 350, European EN 1317, similar to Blue Systems Safence U-profile cable fence. Now the Super C is US MASH accredited, making it the world’s first MASHG slope and side cable barrier to carry the assurance, claims Mats Heinevik, chief executive of Blue Systems.
    Read More
  • US DOT announces vehicle-to-infrastructure guidance
    January 20, 2017
    The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) has announced new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) guidance (link http://www.its.dot.gov/v2i.) that aims to improve safety and mobility by accelerating the deployment of V2I communication systems. The guidance complements the Department's efforts to reduce crashes by advancing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology announced in a proposed rule in December. V2I communication is an important component of a connecte
    Read More
  • Noptel highlights Speeder X1 and CMP52 sensors
    March 19, 2018
    Finland-headquartered Noptel is highlighting its Speeder X1 and CMP52 laser distance measurement sensors, developed for traffic control and law enforcement applications. The Speeder X1 laser radar exploits a dual laser transmitter, providing overlapping vehicle profile analysis for precise vehicle speed measurement, as well as for vehicle height and length determination. Meanwhile, the accurate and reliable CMP52 single beam laser radar is designed for a wide variety of traffic control and law enforcement
    Read More

Highlighted Content