Uber driver involved in first-ever fatal crash involving an unmanned vehicle has pleaded guilty

The backup driver of the self-driving Uber car that struck a 49-year-old woman in Tempe, Arizona, in 2018 has pleaded guilty to one count of creating a dangerous situation. She was sentenced to three years of probation.

Here's What We Know

Rafaela Vasquez worked as a safety driver for Uber's drone car testing programme in Arizona. She was behind the wheel when her robotaxi struck Elaine Herzberg, who was carrying a bicycle across the road.

Prosecutors called Vasquez the "eyes and ears" of the car, which was operating in autonomous mode at the time of the collision. Police claim she was watching the show "The Voice" on her phone at the time of the collision. However, Vazquez said she was monitoring the car's systems but was distracted from the road at a crucial moment.

According to the investigation, the robot car saw Herzberg 5.6 seconds before the collision but did not automatically stop. The drone failed to correctly identify the man and predict his trajectory.

Vasquez only braked when it was too late.

The accident occurred on 18 March 2018. It is believed to be the first fatal collision involving a self-driving car.

Source: The Verge