19 Mar 18
News

Uber suspends self-driving tests following fatal accident

International ride-hailing company Uber has temporarily stopped its autonomous car testing in the United States after one of its cars hit and killed a woman on Sunday evening in Tempe Arizona while she was crossing the street.

Uber stated that the car was in autonomous mode with a safety driver at the wheel during the crash. According to serveilance video, the 47-year old woman was not in a crosswalk when she was hit and the street was not well illuminated.  An investigation regarding liability is still underway. 

“Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. We’re thinking of the victim’s family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted following the accident.

This is likely the first pedestrian fatality caused by a self-driving car.

 

Authored by: Daniel Bland