Federal regulators are investigating whether Cruise robotaxis are risky to pedestrians following several accidents

The US Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration opened a preliminary analysis following incidents of cars “encroaching on pedestrians current in or coming into roadways,” in keeping with documents launched Tuesday. The probe covers 594 Cruise automobiles.

The company stated it has obtained two studies involving pedestrian accidents that had been sustained from Cruise automobiles underneath a June 2021 order demanding carmakers and expertise corporations report the incidents. NHTSA additionally stated it recognized two further related incidents utilizing movies that had been posted to social media web sites.

No fatalities have been reported in reference to the automobiles included within the investigation.

Cruise has been in common communication with NHTSA and plans to proceed cooperating with the company, firm spokeswoman Hannah Lindow stated by way of e mail following the launch of the investigation.

“Cruise’s security file over 5 million miles continues to outperform comparable human drivers at a time when pedestrian accidents and deaths are at an all-time excessive,” Cruise stated.

One of many incidents concerned a hit-and-run accident in San Francisco on Oct. 2 by which a human driving a non-Cruise car struck a pedestrian, throwing the individual in entrance of a Cruise robotaxi. The self-driving automotive stopped however nonetheless made contact with the individual, NHTSA’s report stated. The opposite car fled the scene, and Cruise stated on the time that it was “actively working with police to assist establish the accountable driver.”

One other incident in San Francisco occurred in August when a Cruise car was stopped at an intersection and began transferring when the sunshine turned inexperienced. A pedestrian then stepped into the crosswalk. Cruise’s AV tried to swerve and cease however struck the pedestrian at 1.4 miles per hour. The individual went to the hospital complaining of knee ache.

Cruise operates robotaxis in San Francisco and has been increasing to different cities together with Austin and Phoenix.

The NHTSA probe was reported earlier by Reuters.