A pedestrian was struck and killed by an Uber car in autonomous mode, Tempe PD said. (File photo)
Uber is pausing[1] its self-driving car tests[2] in every city in the US after a female pedestrian was killed by an Uber car operating in autonomous mode early Monday in Tempe, AZ. It could be the first known death caused by an autonomous car operating on public roads.
Uber told ZDNet in a statement:
"Our hearts go out to the victim's family. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident."
Tempe police say an Uber car was in autonomous mode with a human safety driver at the wheel (as required by law) when it struck a pedestrian who walked into the street, according[3] to Daisuke Wakabayashi of the New York Times.
Tempe police department statement on the Uber death:
"We wanted to provide an update to the Uber accident that occurred overnight on Mill Ave. just south of Curry Rd. The vehicle involved is one of Uber's self-driving vehicles. It was in autonomous mode at the time of the collision, with a vehicle operator behind the wheel. The vehicle was traveling northbound just south of Curry Rd. when a female walking outside of the crosswalk crossed the road from west to east when she was struck by the Uber vehicle. She was transported to a local area hospital where she passed away from her injuries. Her next of kin has not been notified yet so her name is not being released at this time. Uber is assisting and this is still an active investigation."
Uber is suspending tests in Tempe, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Toronto,