Video of Fatal Uber Accident Sheds Light on Situation

Video of the fatal accident between a self-driving Uber test vehicle and a pedestrian has surfaced, shedding some light on the controversial situation. 

The video shows the operator, identified as 44-year-old Rafaela Vasquez, repeatedly glancing downward as the Volvo XC90 equipped with Uber’s suite of self-driving sensors travels northbound down the 45 MPH road. The victim, 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg, is then seen walking a bike across the road from the oncoming lane toward the sidewalk. The operator, looking down, fails to see her, as does the Uber’s autonomous sensors, and she is struck.

Warning: this video may be graphic for some viewers This video goes against statements made by the Tempe Police chief that said the victim very suddenly stepped out in front of the vehicle and that it “would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode.” It appears as though Herzberg was in the road for at least a few seconds before she was hit, although it’s admittedly hard to see her until she becomes illuminated from the vehicle’s headlights. It still seems as though Uber’s sensors should have detected a moving object in the road, however, so it’s reassuring that these autonomous prototypes aren’t currently being tested on public streets.

“The video is disturbing and heartbreaking to watch, and our thoughts continue to be with Elaine’s loved ones,” an Uber spokesperson said in a prepared statement. “Our cars remain grounded, and we’re assisting local, state and federal authorities in any way we can.”

The Tempe police, along with government safety regulators, are still investigating the incident. Stay tuned for more information as this story develops.

[Source: Automotive News]