Uber seeks to resume AV trials nearly eight months after Arizona fatality

Uber wants to resume testing its self-driving cars on public roads nearly eight months after one of its autonomous vehicles (AV) killed a pedestrian in Arizona. The ride-hailing company has released a voluntary safety report to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which includes safety enhancements to help prevent crashes and fatalities. Uber says its AVs would include two mission specialists – employees who have completed advanced training courses in self-driving vehicle operations. The
November 6, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
8336 Uber wants to resume testing its self-driving cars on public roads nearly eight months after one of its autonomous vehicles (AV) killed a %$Linker: 2 Internal <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 4 34272 0 link-external pedestrian false /categories/utc/news/ubers-autonomous-taxi-kills-pedestrian-north-american-trials-suspended/ false false%> in Arizona.


The ride-hailing company has released a voluntary safety %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external report false https://uber.app.box.com/v/UberATGSafetyReport false false%> to the US 834 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which includes safety enhancements to help prevent crashes and fatalities.

Uber says its AVs would include two mission specialists – employees who have completed advanced training courses in self-driving vehicle operations. The training includes modules on distracted driving and a preventive fatigue monitoring programme.

In %$Linker: 2 Internal <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 4 36189 0 link-external July false /categories/location-based-systems/news/ubers-self-driving-cars-resume-trials-in-pittsburgh-in-manual-mode/ false false%>, the company’s mission specialists began manually driving Uber’s AVs on public roads in Pittsburgh to trial new safeguards which are expected to improve vehicle safety and performance.

One mission specialist remained behind the wheel to maintain the vehicle’s safety while the other documented notable events in the passenger seat.

According to Uber, all self-driving vehicles are now equipped with a third-party driver monitoring system and feature improved system latency to detect objects and actors sooner and react faster.

In the introduction of the report, Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO says the company has conducted a review of Uber Advanced Technologies Group’s safety approaches, system development and culture.

“We continue to support the 5628 National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the Tempe crash. We have taken a measured, phased approach to returning to on-road testing, starting first with manual driving in Pittsburgh,” Khosrowshahi adds.

Khosrowshahi emphasises that Uber has committed to deliver the safety report before returning to on-road testing in self-driving mode and will only go back on the road once the improved process has been implemented.

Related Content

  • Webinar: developments in driver assistance systems
    February 2, 2015
    The webinar on 6 February from 1400-1500 CET, From Advanced Active Safety Systems to Automated Systems: From interactIVe to AdaptIVe and beyond focuses on the evolution from driver assistance systems to automated driving. This is based mainly on two large scale EU integrated projects: interactIVe and AdaptIVe. The webinar will discuss the interactIVe project, its objectives, main outcomes and lessons learned and provide an overview of the objectives and vision of automated driving functions that will be
    Read More
  • Scania to deploy more than 700 gas buses to Bogotá
    January 8, 2019
    Scania is to deliver 741 Euro 6 gas buses to Bogotá, Colombia, in a deal which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up 20%. This deployment serves as an extension to an initial order placed by TransMilenio for the procurement of 481 Euro 6 gas buses and is part of the city’s bus rapid transit (BRT) renewal programme. Masivo Bogotá will operate the 260 bi-articulated Scania F340 HA 8x2 buses across 18 stations on the Américas BRT line. Carlos Ocampo, Scania Colombia's managing director, says:
    Read More
  • Backlit weatherproof safety sign works without power
    March 3, 2014
    Italian company Insico (INnovation SIgn Consulting) will feature its backlit waterproofed safety sign innovation at Intertraffic Amsterdam 2014. Developed to improve safety signs, it uses an active system based on light diffusion technology and a passive system, in the case of sudden loss of electricity, with the use of special retro-reflective semi-transparent films. The device can be manufactured in different sizes, graphics and colours and is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
    Read More
  • Zhejiang Dahua shows off versatile camera
    March 25, 2014
    Zhejiang Dahua Vision is at Intertraffic showing off a versatile all-in-one camera with a range of applications. One of its features is a patented self-triggering technology enabling it to capture images without reliance on expensive roadbed infrastructure.
    Read More

Highlighted Content