A Lexus SUV modified to fit Google’s driverless system has its passenger side caved in when a driver of another car jumped a red light and ploughed into the Google car. The crash triggered the Lexus’s airbags but lest no one injured but the car had to be towed away.
“Our light was green for at least six seconds before our car entered the intersection,” a spokesperson told 9to5Google. “Thousands of crashes happen everyday on US roads, and red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes in the US.
“Human error plays a role in 94 percent of these crashes, which is why we’re developing fully self-driving technology to make our roads safer.”
It Is the most severe crash Google’s driverless cars have been involved into date. However, given the lack of injuries, it is indicative that the majority of the crashed Google’s autonomous technology had been involved in, numbering over a dozen so far, have been minor fender-benders, indicating that the technology is likely a safer alternative to human drivers, especially those with a heavy right foot.
The evolution of driverless car technology is well underway with UK roads due to see an influx of autonomous system testing in 2017, and British car maker Jaguar is looking at putting its take on driverless cars on the road.
There are also calls for further co-operation to be made around driverless cars, with Volvo encouraging more public and private sector collaboration to accelerate the development of self-driving cars.
However, such a missive is difficult to bring about when the likes of Google are rather open about their driverless car testing but the likes of Apple keep their efforts hidden and open to speculation, including rumors that Apple may invest in or by car maker McLaren.
“Our light was green for at least six seconds before our car entered the intersection,” a spokesperson told 9to5Google. “Thousands of crashes happen everyday on US roads, and red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes in the US.
“Human error plays a role in 94 percent of these crashes, which is why we’re developing fully self-driving technology to make our roads safer.”
Google driverless car crashes
It Is the most severe crash Google’s driverless cars have been involved into date. However, given the lack of injuries, it is indicative that the majority of the crashed Google’s autonomous technology had been involved in, numbering over a dozen so far, have been minor fender-benders, indicating that the technology is likely a safer alternative to human drivers, especially those with a heavy right foot.The evolution of driverless car technology is well underway with UK roads due to see an influx of autonomous system testing in 2017, and British car maker Jaguar is looking at putting its take on driverless cars on the road.
There are also calls for further co-operation to be made around driverless cars, with Volvo encouraging more public and private sector collaboration to accelerate the development of self-driving cars.
However, such a missive is difficult to bring about when the likes of Google are rather open about their driverless car testing but the likes of Apple keep their efforts hidden and open to speculation, including rumors that Apple may invest in or by car maker McLaren.
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