CU Wants Transparent Reports on Self-Driving Tests

Waymo, Uber and other ride-hailing companies should publicly detail testing procedures and results for autonomous vehicles, Consumers Union said Wednesday. CU cited two recent collisions involving separate Waymo and Uber test vehicles. It said Uber reportedly determined a test vehicle killed a pedestrian in Arizona in March (see 1803230071) after its systems identified the person as a “benign object.” Waymo denied blame in a May accident in Arizona in which a swerving mini-van apparently crossed a median and collided with a test vehicle, said the group. “There shouldn’t be tests on public roads, let alone commercial use, until the companies have proven the systems are safe,” said CU Director-Cars and Products Policy and Analysis David Friedman. Uber is doing a “top-to-bottom” safety review of the program, working with former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Christopher Hart on safety culture, a spokeswoman said. “Our review is looking at everything from the safety of our system to our training processes for vehicle operators, and we hope to have more to say soon.” Waymo didn’t comment.