I would hate to have been the (backup driver) in this sad situation.
Regardless, the regulations couldn't come soon enough.
From SF Chronicle [1]:
<QUOTE>
The self-driving Volvo SUV was outfitted with at least two video cameras, one facing forward toward the street, the other focused inside the car on the driver, Moir said in an interview.
From viewing the videos, “it’s very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode (autonomous or human-driven) based on how she came from the shadows right into the roadway,” Moir said. The police have not released the videos.
The incident happened within perhaps 100 yards of a crosswalk, Moir said. “It is dangerous to cross roadways in the evening hour when well-illuminated, managed crosswalks are available,” she said.
...
“I suspect preliminarily it appears that the Uber would likely not be at fault in this accident, either,” Moir said.
However, if Uber is found responsible, that could open a legal quagmire.
“I won’t rule out the potential to file charges against the (backup driver) in the Uber vehicle,” Moir said.
But if the robot car itself were found at fault? “This is really new ground we’re venturing into,” she said.
</QUOTE>
From SF Chronicle [1]:
<QUOTE> The self-driving Volvo SUV was outfitted with at least two video cameras, one facing forward toward the street, the other focused inside the car on the driver, Moir said in an interview.
From viewing the videos, “it’s very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode (autonomous or human-driven) based on how she came from the shadows right into the roadway,” Moir said. The police have not released the videos.
The incident happened within perhaps 100 yards of a crosswalk, Moir said. “It is dangerous to cross roadways in the evening hour when well-illuminated, managed crosswalks are available,” she said.
...
“I suspect preliminarily it appears that the Uber would likely not be at fault in this accident, either,” Moir said.
However, if Uber is found responsible, that could open a legal quagmire.
“I won’t rule out the potential to file charges against the (backup driver) in the Uber vehicle,” Moir said.
But if the robot car itself were found at fault? “This is really new ground we’re venturing into,” she said. </QUOTE>
[1] https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Exclusive-Tempe...