A driverless ride-hailing car in China hit a pedestrian, and people on social media are taking the carmaker’s side, because the person was reportedly crossing against the light
BEIJING — A driverless ride-hailing car in China hit a pedestrian, and people on social media are taking the carmaker’s side, because the person was reportedly crossing against the light.
The operator of the vehicle, Chinese tech giant Baidu, said in a statement to Chinese media that the car began moving when the light turned green and had minor contact with the pedestrian. The person was taken to a hospital where an examination found no obvious external injuries, Baidu said.
The incident on Sunday in the city of Wuhan highlights the challenge that autonomous driving faces in complex situations, the Chinese financial news outlet Yicai said. It quoted an expert saying the technology may have limitations when dealing with unconventional behavior such as other vehicles or pedestrians that violate traffic laws.
Images posted online show a person sitting on the street in front of the driverless car with its rooftop sensors. Comments on social media largely supported Baidu, pointing out that the pedestrian had broken the law, the English-language Shanghai Daily newspaper said in a post on X.
Beijing-based search-engine and artificial intelligence company Baidu is a leader in the development of autonomous driving in China. Its largest “robotaxi” operation, with a fleet of 300 cars, is in Wuhan, a major city in central China that had the world’s first major outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020.
Apollo Go, as the ride-hailing service is called, also operates in more limited parts of three other Chinese cities — Beijing, Shenzhen and Chongqing. The company launched the sixth-generation of its driverless taxi in May, saying it had brought the unit cost down by more than half to under $30,000.
In a recent incident in China, a pedestrian was struck by a driverless car while crossing against the light. This unfortunate event has raised concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles and the behavior of pedestrians on the road.
The incident occurred in a busy intersection in a major city in China. The driverless car was traveling at a moderate speed when the pedestrian suddenly stepped into the crosswalk against the red light. Despite the car’s advanced sensors and technology, it was unable to detect the pedestrian in time to avoid a collision.
This incident highlights the importance of following traffic laws and signals, even when autonomous vehicles are on the road. Pedestrians must be vigilant and aware of their surroundings to ensure their safety and the safety of others. Crossing against the light not only puts the individual at risk but also poses a danger to drivers and passengers in autonomous vehicles.
While autonomous vehicles have the potential to reduce accidents caused by human error, they are not infallible. It is crucial for pedestrians to exercise caution and follow traffic rules to prevent accidents and injuries. Additionally, manufacturers of driverless cars must continue to improve their technology to enhance detection capabilities and response times in order to avoid collisions with pedestrians.
In response to this incident, local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and to assess any potential safety issues with autonomous vehicles. It is essential for regulators, manufacturers, and pedestrians to work together to ensure the safe integration of driverless cars into our transportation system.
As technology continues to advance, it is important for all road users to adapt and educate themselves on how to safely interact with autonomous vehicles. By following traffic laws, being aware of their surroundings, and practicing caution, pedestrians can help prevent accidents and promote a safer environment for everyone on the road.
