Car firms rushing into driverless tech ‘too quickly’

Pioneering autonomous car firms such as Uber and Tesla are rushing into driverless technology “too soon”, according to a leading robotics professor.

Speaking out after a woman was killed by an Uber vehicle being tested in Arizona, Noel Sharkey, professor of AI and robotics at the University of Sheffield, expressed concern at the speed at which autonomous driverless technology was expanding.

He said: “Driverless technology is just not ready yet and needs to mature before it goes on the road.

“Autonomous vehicles present us with a great future opportunity to make our roads safer, but Uber, like Tesla, are rushing headlong into this too quickly.”

The tragic accident on Sunday saw 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg hit by the Uber vehicle, which was reported to be doing about 40 miles per hour, as she walked her bike across a street in Tempe. She later died of her injuries.

The professor’s warning came as Jaguar Land Rover embarked on autonomous vehicle trials in Milton Keynes today (March 22).

A statement by Jaguar Land Rover said: “We are aware of the incident in Arizona but are unable to comment or speculate until the formal report has been published.

“Safety is our number one priority. We are still in the development phase of autonomous vehicles. In every vehicle we have a highly trained safety driver who is given robust guidelines on being fully alert and fit to regain control of the vehicle.”

A large number of modern cars now feature some level of autonomous technology, helping to assist during emergency situations such as sudden braking.

Some manufacturers, such as Audi, already have a system that will drive their luxury cars autonomously on motorways. However, as legislation doesn’t allow it, the firm can’t turn it on.

Professor Sharkey said he wanted to see a slower development of this technology, adding: “An incremental approach is not so exciting, but it will be much safer in the long run.”

Uber was contacted for comment regarding the incident in Arizona but the ride-sharing company failed to respond.

It has, however, updated its Twitter page, stating: “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family. We’re fully cooperating with @TempePolice and local authorities as they investigate this incident.”