Cruise Robotaxi Involved in Accident in San Francisco
In the latest incident involving Cruise, a self-driving car company owned by General Motors, a pedestrian was injured in a collision with one of their robotaxis in San Francisco. The company claims that the accident was caused by a separate human-driven vehicle that struck the pedestrian, causing them to be flung in front of the automated vehicle.
According to Cruise, their robotaxi braked aggressively to minimize the impact after the pedestrian was launched in front of it. The driver of the other vehicle reportedly fled the scene, and the police have requested that the automated vehicle remain in place for investigation.
Video footage shared by a US media outlet shows the aftermath of the incident, with a person seen pinned under the back wheels of the Cruise robotaxi, surrounded by onlookers. The condition of the pedestrian is currently unknown, and the police are actively investigating the incident.
This is not the first time that Cruise has been involved in road incidents, raising concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles. In August, one of their taxis collided with a San Francisco emergency vehicle. Additionally, there have been reports of Cruise robotaxis blocking an ambulance that was trying to reach a critically injured patient, who later succumbed to their injuries.
The incident comes shortly after both Cruise and Alphabet-owned Waymo were granted permission by the California Public Utilities Commission to conduct commercial driverless taxi services at any time of day in San Francisco. Prior to this change, their services were limited in terms of operating times, locations, and the requirement of a safety driver in the car.
As the investigation into the accident continues, it is crucial to prioritize the wellbeing of the injured pedestrian. Cruise is working closely with the police to identify the responsible driver. The incident also highlights the ongoing debates surrounding the safety and regulation of self-driving vehicles.
