In a recent independent review of Cruise’s high-profile pedestrian accident, some intriguing conclusions have emerged. The report suggests that Cruise’s attempt to send a video of the accident to regulators was hindered by poor internet connectivity. Conducted by the Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan law firm, which was hired by Cruise, the findings shed light on the incident that made headlines back in October.
The accident involved a woman who was initially struck by a human-driven vehicle and then thrown into the path of a Cruise robotaxi. The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) responded to the scene and used the Jaws of Life to lift the robotaxi that had pinned the woman down. Unfortunately, the pedestrian suffered serious injuries as a result.
Following the incident, California DMV officials accused Cruise of “misrepresenting” and “omitting” crucial information about the accident. It was revealed that Cruise’s initial videos failed to include the fact that the robotaxi continued to travel another 20 feet at a speed of 7 mph after running over the pedestrian. Although this maneuver was intended to ensure the vehicle pulled over safely, it inadvertently resulted in the woman being dragged further after being hit by the robotaxi.
According to the report from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, there is evidence to suggest that Cruise did attempt to present the full video of the accident, including the 20-foot dragging, during its briefing with regulators and government officials. However, due to internet connectivity issues, the company was unable to share the complete footage.
“Cruise leadership and those who communicated with regulators acknowledge that they did not affirmatively explain the pullover maneuver and pedestrian dragging in their initial meetings with regulators and government officials following the accident. Many meeting participants, however, have said they played the full, 45-second, 9-pane video of the Accident that showed the pullover maneuver and pedestrian being dragged (the ‘Full Video’). But they concede that in all of the initial meetings on October 3 except one, the video transmissions were hampered by internet connectivity issues that prevented or may have prevented regulators from seeing the entire Accident fully and clearly,” the report stated.
The full report of the incident can be viewed below.
This review raises questions about the role of internet connectivity in sharing crucial information with regulators and government officials. It highlights the challenges faced by autonomous vehicle companies like Cruise in ensuring seamless communication during critical moments. The incident serves as a reminder that technological advancements must be accompanied by robust infrastructure to support their operation effectively.
Cruise’s response to the findings of the review remains to be seen. However, it is clear that this incident has brought attention to the importance of reliable internet connectivity in the autonomous vehicle industry. As companies continue to develop and refine self-driving technology, addressing these connectivity issues will be crucial to ensure the safety and transparency of their operations.
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