In San Francisco, an autonomous Waymo vehicle collided with a cyclist, sparking concerns over urban cycling safety and adding to Waymo’s recent string of challenges. The incident occurred at the intersection of 17th and Mississippi in Potrero Hill, where the Waymo car, stationed at a full stop, failed to detect a cyclist crossing behind a turning truck.
Waymo promptly reported the incident to authorities, contrasting with the handling of previous accidents involving autonomous vehicles. Despite the vehicle’s attempt to brake upon detecting the cyclist, a collision ensued, resulting in minor injuries for the cyclist who left the scene unassisted.
The incident comes amid Waymo’s efforts to expand its driverless robotaxi service in Los Angeles and its ongoing operations in San Francisco. With plans to introduce fully autonomous passenger cars on freeways in Phoenix and expand to Austin, Waymo faces heightened scrutiny amidst safety concerns and regulatory challenges.