19K views · May 22, 2024 · 1:53 · 0 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2024–2025
A short local news report about a Waymo self-driving car that crashed into a pole in downtown Phoenix.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN cites it as evidence that robotaxis can still have odd, avoidable crashes, usually in threads that criticize self-driving safety claims.
“The incident where a Waymo vehicle ran into a pole”
News report of a Waymo hitting a pole.
The incident where a Waymo vehicle ran into a pole ( this video ) is one of the most head scratching to me, but overall amazingly safe for operating 50,000 paid rides per week.
“The recent light pole incident also doesn't help [1].”
Waymo is currently under investigation for multiple incidents, not all of which it had previously disclosed to the NHTSA [0]. The recent light pole incident also doesn't help [1]. If they are doing 50k rides a day, then they would appear to have a remarkable safety record. It will be interesting to see if these investigations lead to a repeat of the Cruise debacle or if this will become the price of doing business. [0] link [1] this video
“Waymo hits stationary pole.”
Meanwhile Waymo just yesterday went the wrong way on the street. link Waymo hits stationary pole. this video If Waymo is as good as you claim, then why don't they release data on the number of manual interventions> It's just the Waymo's missteps are unlikely to show up on HN unlike Tesla's. FSD can navigate crowds too.
“Waymo isn't immune to "wtf how" kinds of crashes”
Waymo hits pole (this one is from 2024, could've sworn I saw one in the last few weeks but may have misremembered): this video Waymos crash into each other: link Waymo cutting off bus at left turn: link Waymo doing... something... no clue how a pre-mapped car thinks this is ok: link Waymo sideswipes firetruck with its lights on: link --- Crashes happen. Tesla is currently having a rash of them but Waymo isn't immune to "wtf how" kinds of crashes even with all of its built-in advantages (far more sensors and having pre-mapping).
