(Waymo)How safe are autonomous cars really?
Spinning in a roundabout: a Waymo robotaxi causes astonishment and new doubts about the technology. How far are autonomous vehicles really?
A Waymo robotaxi recently caused a stir when it drove endlessly around a roundabout in a quiet residential area. The bizarre behavior was filmed by a passerby and has since been circulating on social media, such as YouTube. How long the dizzying tour lasted remains unclear. However, one thing is clear: there are no passengers on board. A spokesman for the company confirmed this to the technology portal TechCrunch. The problem has now been resolved with a software update.
Why do Waymo robotaxis drive in circles?
The scene once again raises questions about the reliability of autonomous vehicles. Reports of strange maneuvers by robotaxis are increasing, particularly in test regions such as San Francisco. Waymo vehicles caused anger in August when they honked incessantly near an apartment for one night. A resident recorded the situation in a livestream.
Waymo technology is reaching its limits
Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, is considered a pioneer in the field of autonomous driving. But videos like these show that even the most modern technology has its pitfalls.
Vehicles repeatedly reach their limits, particularly in complex urban environments. A Waymo spokesperson emphasized that such incidents are taken seriously and that they are continually working to improve the software.
How safe are autonomous vehicles really?
As EFAHRER.com previously reported, scientists at the University of Central Florida analyzed tens of thousands of traffic accidents in a study to evaluate the safety of autonomous vehicles. The results support previous findings: self-driving cars are safer than vehicles driven by humans – especially on highways and in fog. In these situations, humans cause over seven times more accidents than autonomous vehicles. But there are also areas where human drivers are ahead.
The analysis shows that autonomous vehicles are more often involved in accidents at sunrise and sunset and when turning. According to the study, vehicles often lack the sensor capabilities necessary to accurately detect difficult traffic and weather conditions. The “experience deficit” of autonomous systems is also mentioned as a possible cause. While there are advances in technology, accident statistics remain in favor of human drivers in some areas.
