Robots on the Road: A Tale of Two Vehicles in L. A.

In the heart of Los Angeles, a curious collision occurred on December 27. A self-driving robotaxi from Waymo and a sidewalk delivery bot from Serve Robotics unexpectedly met at an intersection in West Hollywood. A video posted online shows the Serve bot trying to cross the street and make its way onto the sidewalk. As it maneuvers, a Waymo robotaxi makes a right turn and gently bumps into the delivery bot. Someone who saw the footage claimed the bot might have run a red light, but that's not clear in the video. The Waymo robotaxi was designed to be cautious and recognize different types of road users and objects. It uses sensors to identify and avoid humans and animals. In this case, the Waymo saw the Serve bot as an inanimate object and approached cautiously. The collision happened at a slow speed of about 4 miles per hour, with the Waymo applying hard brakes before making contact.

Neither robot was damaged, and they remained stuck together for a minute before moving on. This incident raises questions about future collisions between autonomous vehicles (AVs). How will companies handle liability when such incidents happen? Waymo's system is set up to notify the company’s Fleet Response and Rider Support teams during collisions. These teams review the scene remotely and can dispatch roadside assistance if needed. Serve Robotics confirmed that their bot was under remote supervision at the time of the incident. Both companies have stated they're working together to prevent similar incidents in the future. But the bigger question remains: How will AV companies decide liability in more complex accidents?

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