Google, Delphi Deny Fault In Four Accidents Involving Self-Driving Cars Since September
Google and others are investing in a future where automobiles are fully automated, getting us from point A to point B on their own. We're at a very early stage in what could be a revolution in the auto industry, though it doesn't bode well that around 8 percent of the self-driving cars motoring around California have been involved in accidents in the past six months.
There are nearly 50 self-driving vehicles deployed in California. The state issued permits for companies to test them on public roads back in September, and of those vehicles being evaluated, four of them have been in accidents. Two of those occurred when the cars when in control, while the other two happened when a person was driving them, The Associated Press reports.
All four incidents happened at speeds of less than 10 miles per hour. Lexus SUVs equipped with sensors from Google accounted for three of the accidents, while the fourth involved one of two test vehicles that parts supplier Delphi Automotive deployed.
Both Google and Delphi maintain their cars were not at fault in any of the accidents, which they said were minor. Unfortunately, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles refused to comment on the accidents, noting that collision reports are legally required to stay confidential.
The lack of information made available to the public isn't sitting well with those trying to keep a close eye on the tests and the overall safety of these self-driving cars. John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog's privacy project director and a known critic of Google, said that since Google's end-game is a car without a steering wheel or pedals, it's "even more important that the details of any accidents be made public -- so people know what the heck is going on."
There are nearly 50 self-driving vehicles deployed in California. The state issued permits for companies to test them on public roads back in September, and of those vehicles being evaluated, four of them have been in accidents. Two of those occurred when the cars when in control, while the other two happened when a person was driving them, The Associated Press reports.
All four incidents happened at speeds of less than 10 miles per hour. Lexus SUVs equipped with sensors from Google accounted for three of the accidents, while the fourth involved one of two test vehicles that parts supplier Delphi Automotive deployed.
Both Google and Delphi maintain their cars were not at fault in any of the accidents, which they said were minor. Unfortunately, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles refused to comment on the accidents, noting that collision reports are legally required to stay confidential.
The lack of information made available to the public isn't sitting well with those trying to keep a close eye on the tests and the overall safety of these self-driving cars. John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog's privacy project director and a known critic of Google, said that since Google's end-game is a car without a steering wheel or pedals, it's "even more important that the details of any accidents be made public -- so people know what the heck is going on."
