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

  • ITS World Congress preliminary programme and registration now online
    June 8, 2015
    The preliminary programme of the 22nd ITS World Congress is now available online. In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies and three Plenary Sessions, highlights of this year’s event include the Ministerial Roundtable, two high-level technology summits, three general public sessions and a public afternoon open to all. Download the programme for details of the interactive timetable, sessions, speakers, social and associated events and the more than 20 demonstrations that are planned during the Co
    Read More
  • Renault and Waymo explore AV service in Paris
    November 14, 2019
    Renault and Waymo are hoping to establish an autonomous mobility service between Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport and La Défense, a business district in France’s capital Paris. Valérie Pécresse, president of the Paris region, says the service could “play a key role for the mobility of Île-de-France inhabitants, tourists and therefore for the international attractiveness of our region, which is investing €100 million to develop the infrastructure on which autonomous vehicles will operate.” Both partie
    Read More
  • ITS International 2013 Readership Survey
    March 13, 2013
    The ITS International 2013 Readership Survey is now out! You may have received an invitation earlier in the week to complete the 2013 Readership Survey. The Readership Survey was sent exclusively to our registered subscribers asking them to comment on all aspects of ITS International; print, eNewsletter and website. This is a great opportunity for you to give input directly to the editorial team and help shape the future of the magazine.
    Read More
  • VW to install EV charging network at UK Tesco stores
    December 4, 2018
    Volkswagen (VW) says it will install more than 2,400 free electric vehicle (EV) chargers at 600 Tesco stores in the UK by 2020. The chargers, provided by public charging network operator Pod Point, will allow customers to use a 7kW charger and pay for a 50kW rapid charge at a cost which the company says is in line with ‘the market rate’. The chargers will be implemented at Tesco Superstores and Extra stores. Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO, says the deployment is part of a wider commitment to address environmen
    Read More

Highlighted Content