A Zoox and an e-bike collided in S.F. Here’s what it says about robotaxi safety

[Scott Mace]

From the SF Chronicle:

A Zoox and an e-bike collided in S.F. Here’s what it says about robotaxi
safety

No injuries reported

"The scene unfolded shortly after 9:30 a.m., the fade-out of a Friday
morning rush hour. According to Zoox, an e-bike rider had started
crossing before the change in signal. Pedaling south down 11th Street,
the rider zipped ahead of the robotaxi, which had no driver at the time.
Both vehicles had nearly crossed the intersection when the cyclist
abruptly turned left.

"Sensing the maneuver, the robotaxi 'braked hard,' yet a collision 'was
unavoidable,' Zoox staff wrote in their incident summary. The cyclist
struck the self-driving car’s right fender and body, causing minor
damage. As the Zoox pulled over on Bryant Street, the cyclist rode to
the sidewalk, briefly stopped, then rolled away.

"By slowing down and stopping, the Zoox demonstrated its ability to
drive defensively, and likely preempted a more serious accident,
according to a company spokesperson."

...

"Whether the Zoox performed worse or better than a human driver in this
instance is unclear, said Matthew Raifman, a transportation safety
researcher at UC Berkeley’s Safe Transportation and Research Education
Center."

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoox-ebike-crash-robotaxi-safety-20313079.php

Scott Mace