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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its evaluation into Cruise LLC’s Automated Driving System (ADS) after assessing crash reports and a subsequent safety recall. Cruise ceased operations, and no versions of its ADS remain in use on public roads. The recall addressed a defect impacting post-collision behavior, specifically related to pedestrian safety.
Key Highlights
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-018): Opened on October 16, 2023, to assess Cruise ADS’s caution around pedestrians after two reported crashes.
- Safety Recall Filed: Cruise issued NHTSA Recall No. 23E-086, addressing ADS software defects causing vehicles to improperly pull over post-collision instead of remaining stationary.
- Recall Scope: Affected 950 vehicles equipped with driverless Cruise ADS software.
- Incident Analysis: Cruise identified 2,759 relevant ADS performance reports, including 1,113 pedestrian conflicts and five pedestrian collisions, three of which resulted in injuries.
- Operational Status: Cruise has ceased operations, with no ADS-equipped vehicles currently active on public roads.
The NHTSA’s investigation stemmed from reports of Cruise ADS vehicles encroaching on pedestrians in crosswalks and collisions involving pedestrians. On November 7, 2023, Cruise initiated a recall, citing a defect in the Collision Detection Subsystem. Cruise noted that the software’s response to low-ground collisions caused vehicles to pull over incorrectly, posing further risks. A subsequent update was stated to rectify this issue.
Cruise also provided data reflecting ADS behavior during pedestrian conflicts and collisions. Despite avoidant actions, five pedestrian collisions occurred, underscoring the need for system improvements. Cruise’s recall aimed to resolve the defect, but the company’s cessation of operations led to the evaluation’s closure.
The NHTSA emphasized its commitment to monitoring ADS safety and reserves the right to revisit the matter should new circumstances arise. For more details, visit NHTSA’s Standing General Order Crash Reporting page.
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