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Uber Resumes Testing Self-Driving Cars Nine Months After Deadly Crash (theverge.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the let's-try-this-again dept.

Nine months after an Uber self-driving car struck and killed pedestrian Elaine Herzberg in Tempe, Arizona, Uber has decided that it's time to resume testing its self-driving cars on public roads. The company received a letter from Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation authorizing it to restart its program, although it will be massively scaled back from the one it had last year. The Verge reports: For the time being, Uber's self-driving Volvo SUVs will be confined to a one-mile loop around Pittsburgh's Strip District, where the company's Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) is headquartered. Only two vehicles are being tested for now, though more will be added. The cars won't exceed the posted speed limit of 25 mph, and will have two safety drivers in them at all times -- Uber calls them "mission specialists." For now, the cars aren't picking up any passengers. A spokesperson for Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said since Uber has "accepted established state guidelines, demonstrated transparency, and conformed to our expectations in addressing the unique conditions of a complex urban environment, the city is satisfied that self-driving testing operations by Uber will not introduce an increased level of safety risk in Pittsburgh," the spokesperson said.

3 of 32 comments (clear)

  1. It’s the “Get Smart” approach by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Chief: Max, we had a safety driver in the car and still hit a pedestrian.

    Max: Here’s an idea, Chief. How about we have TWO safety drivers? That way if one’s distracted, the other can take over!

    Chief: Max, what if they both get distracted?

    Max: (pause) Okay... how about THREE safety drivers, Chief?

    (the Chief remains unconvinced, and the discussion continues)

    .
    .
    .

    Chief (later that evening, during the test): I don’t know, Larabee. I’m worried. Maybe I should’ve went with Max’s plan.

    Larabee: What plan was that, Chief?

    Chief: The one with 99 safety drivers.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  2. You are not understanding the roles here by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow, these "self-driving" cars will have TWO drivers in them.

    One is for watching the road. The other is an Uber lawyer with a briefcase filled with $100 bills and release forms.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  3. Re:make America great! by liquid_schwartz · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Now corporations own the streets and, oh, the right to conduct a homicide. Wonderful, part of making America great again!

    Roughly 3000 people die *every month* currently. We can improve on that and should keep trying to. Learn from mistakes yes but keep trying.