If you watch the video, the test driver was asleep at the wheel. It does not appear that the car was equipped with night vision capabilities. If it was, it could have spotted the pedestrian a long way back. Instead it was apparently relying on regular camera technology which is pretty much useless on a moonless night and a wet road.
I’m sure if there is an infra red video that there would be no doubt that Uber was guilty of vehicular manslaughter. The failure to utilize infra red technology would make it worse. It could probably be viewed as reckless disregard for human life, I.e., second degree murder.
A driverless car is an inherently dangerous piece of machinery. Any accident such as this should be treated the same way they treat companies that use explosives. If someone is killed, then someone must go to jail.
I agree.
It probably sounds arrogant of me to say such a thing, but I’m quite certain — just from the video — that I would have detected that pedestrian.
This was NOT someone suddenly jumping into the pathway of an oncoming car.