Governor Doug Ducey categorically forbade Uber to conduct further tests on any autonomous vehicles – be they personal or heavy – reports theverge.com. In a statement, he said that the company „has undoubtedly failed” to ensure the security of the citizens of Arizona. And not so long ago, the politician was sympathetic to Uber.
The Governor of the State of Arizona announced his decision due to an accident that occurred several days ago. An autonomous vehicle hit a woman who crossed the road outside the pedestrian crossing. Shortly thereafter, the victim died in the hospital. It was the first case of a fatal accident caused by this type of car.
Shortly thereafter, Uber announced that it was suspending autonomous cars in the United States. The accident also affected other companies that were interested in vehicles without drivers – for example, Toyota announced that it intends to suspend tests for cars controlled by an automatic system for an indefinite period of time – reports rp.pl.
„Undoubted failure of the company”
The governor of Doug Ducea also took an official, categorical stance on Uber. He forbade further testing of autonomous vehicles, which in practice is likely to mean not only a blockade for passenger cars, but also for trucks that started to load loads in Arizona this month.
The politician officially stated that he was guided by „the best interest of the residents of Arizona”. The accident itself called the „unquestionable failure of the company”, „alarming and disturbing”.
Open arms and streets
The media notices, however, that until recently Ducey was one of the greatest enthusiasts of Uber. He allowed the testing of autonomous vehicles in Arizona after the company did not receive permission from the San Fransisco authorities. According to The Guardian, he issued the permission months before he announced it in public.
The newspaper adds that just after Ducey’s election to the governor, the politician changed and became much more favorable to Uber than before.
Arizona welcomes Uber autonomous vehicles with open arms and streets” – he wrote in a statement, allowing vehicles without drivers to enter the road.
Some of the e-mails quoted by the newspaper even indicate that he did not shy away from the idea of speaking publicly in a T-shirt with the company’s logo.
Several days before the tragic accident, he signed the document „allowing vehicles without drivers to navigate the roads of Arizona, provided that the company ensures that the machines comply with federal safety standards.” Shortly after, almost half of the Uber autonomous vehicles were traveling in the American state, reports foxnews.com.
Photo: Screenshot from YouTube