Waymo, the self-driving taxi service owned by Google, is updating its fleet’s “damage scoring” system after one of its autonomous Jaguar I-Pace EVs crashed into a telephone pole. Prior to the incident, the cars did not consider telephone poles to be significant threats and did not avoid them. The concept of assigning damage scores to different obstructions is both amusing and disconcerting.
According to The Verge, the crash occurred when the driverless I-Pace was driving down a narrow alley to pick up a passenger. The alley was lined with street-level telephone poles, and the vehicle crashed into one while attempting to pull over. Although the passenger did not witness the crash, they heard it happen.
Following the incident, Waymo took measures to address the issue. The company updated all 672 vehicles in its fleet to assign a higher damage score to telephone poles. Unlike a typical software update done remotely, this update was performed in person by Waymo engineers at the company’s shop.
To ensure transparency and safety, Waymo voluntarily reported the incident and the subsequent recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The company has already deployed mapping and software updates across its entire fleet, assuring that this incident does not impact its current operations.
It is worth noting that Waymo has been proactive in addressing any issues with its self-driving vehicles. Last month, the NHTSA opened an investigation into Waymo after 22 different incidents involving its autonomous vehicles were reported. However, Waymo has been responsible in fixing these issues and reporting them, along with the implemented solutions, to the authorities.
While this incident with the telephone pole has been resolved without any injuries, it raises questions about other objects that may have low damage scores. It is intriguing to consider what other potentially hazardous objects may not be taken seriously by Waymo’s self-driving taxis.
In conclusion, Waymo’s update to its self-driving fleet’s “damage scoring” system demonstrates the company’s commitment to safety and its willingness to address and rectify issues promptly. By voluntarily reporting incidents and implementing necessary updates, Waymo aims to earn the trust of its riders, communities, regulators, and policymakers.
