Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Uber Admits To Self-driving Car 'Problem' in Bike Lanes As Safety Concerns Mount (theguardian.com)

Posted by msmash on from the safety-concerns dept.

Uber has admitted that there is a "problem" with the way autonomous vehicles cross bike lanes, raising serious questions about the safety of cyclists days after the company announced it would openly defy California regulators over self-driving vehicles. From a report on The Guardian: An Uber spokeswoman said on Monday that engineers were working to fix a flaw in the programming that advocates feared could have deadly consequences for cyclists. Uber began piloting its self-driving vehicles in its home town of San Francisco last week, despite state officials' declaration that the ride-share company needed special permits to test its technology. On day one, numerous autonomous vehicles -- which have a driver in the front seat who can take control -- were caught running red lights and committing a range of traffic violations. Despite threats of legal action from the department of motor vehicles (DMV) and California's attorney general, Kamala Harris, Uber refused to back down on Friday, claiming its rejection of government authority was "an important issue of principle."

7 of 383 comments (clear)

  1. Depends how you look at it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Barreling through bike lanes is a feature, not a bug.

    1. Re:Depends how you look at it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Thanks for reminding us of what an obnoxious scourge cyclists are.

      Your Uber is arriving soon.

    2. Re:Depends how you look at it by DickBreath · · Score: 5, Funny

      It is a way for Uber to increase its customer base. If cyclists are unable to ride due to injury, then some percentage of them will start using Uber. It increases revenue, leading to higher profits, executive bonuses, and greater shareholder value. Any executive would ask: what's not to like?

      --

      I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
  2. Doesn't surprise me... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 4, Funny

    So Uber's driver-less cars drive like a soccer mom trying to get her spawn to school?

    1. Re:Doesn't surprise me... by Hognoxious · · Score: 3, Funny

      I never learned to lie

      I don't believe you.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  3. wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Uber, because we just weren't happy that everyone thought we didn't care about our "employees"... so we had to prove we don't care about anybodys' safety!!!

    burn in hell, Uber... burn in Hell

  4. Re:Shocking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Companies can only be people, people can't be companies, silly!