The author argues that despite these incidents, self-driving cars like Waymo's are still safer than human drivers and should be allowed to continue operating and learning on the roads. The article also suggests that Waymo should improve its systems to avoid repeating the same mistakes and to better handle unusual situations. The author concludes by discussing the need for more analysis of incidents involving cyclists and the challenges of dealing with arson attacks.
Key takeaways:
- Waymo, a self-driving car company, has recently experienced several incidents including two collisions with the same tow truck, an arson attack, and a minor collision with a cyclist. Despite these incidents, the company's safety record remains superior to that of Cruise, another self-driving car company.
- The two collisions with the tow truck were due to the truck being towed improperly, causing it to veer into the lane where the Waymo vehicles were driving. The company's prediction engine failed to accurately predict the truck's movement, leading to the collisions.
- A cyclist was hit by a Waymo vehicle at a 4-way stop. The company claims the cyclist rolled through the stop sign and was hidden from view. While the cyclist was at fault, the incident raises questions about the vehicle's ability to react to unexpected situations.
- An arson attack on a Waymo vehicle has yet to result in any arrests. The company may have little motivation to pursue the case unless similar incidents occur in the future.