Driverless Car Hits Pedestrian Amid Internet Connectivity Glitch
- Cruise’s driverless car hit pedestrian, under investigation.
- Connectivity issues hindered video submission to regulators.
- California DMV suspended Cruise, citing withheld video.
In a recent incident, a driverless car operated by Cruise, General Motors’ self-driving car subsidiary, collided with a pedestrian and dragged her for 20 feet, raising concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles. The incident occurred on October 2nd when a hit-and-run driver struck a pedestrian, subsequently pushing her into the path of the driverless Cruise vehicle.
A law firm hired by Cruise, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, conducted an investigation into the matter and released a nearly 200-page report. According to the report, Cruise attempted to submit a 90-second video of the incident to regulators, but the effort was hindered by “internet connectivity issues.”
The report suggests that Cruise did make an effort to present the full video during briefings with regulators and government officials on October 3rd. However, the internet connectivity problems during three of these meetings reportedly prevented a clear and complete view of the video. The law firm concluded that Cruise failed to emphasize the pullover maneuver and dragging of the pedestrian.
In response to the incident, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspended Cruise’s license to operate its autonomous vehicles in the state. The DMV also accused Cruise of withholding portions of the video that depicted the vehicle attempting to pull over after the collision.
Cruise denies the accusation, asserting that it showed the regulatory agency the complete video. The situation has sparked a broader discussion about the transparency and accountability of autonomous vehicle companies, especially in incidents involving public safety.
As the investigation continues, Cruise now faces increased scrutiny, not only for the incident itself but also for the challenges in providing regulators with a comprehensive view of the events due to alleged internet connectivity issues.
