What This Story Is About
- A former Waymo test driver is speaking to WSMV4 Investigates, saying the autonomous vehicles he rode in while on Nashville streets were dangerous. He describes near head-on collisions, sudden accelerations and a final incident involving a tractor trailer that caused him to quit. Waymo responded with a statement that did not address his specific concerns.
Why It Matters
- Metro Nashville Police leadership received an orientation on Waymo vehicles just one month ago. The former test driver says the public deserves to know about the dangers before someone is hurt or killed.
For Context
- Waymo has faced similar incidents in other cities. In Tempe, Arizona, a self-driving Waymo was recorded traveling the wrong way on a street. In January, in Santa Monica, California, Waymo notified NHTSA that one of its driverless vehicles struck a child near an elementary school. Waymo’s website states its vehicles outperform human drivers at avoiding crashes.
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) – A former test driver for Waymo autonomous vehicles is coming forward to WSMV4 Investigates, saying the self-driving cars he operated were dangerous and should not be tested on Nashville streets.
The man, who asked for anonymity for being a whistleblower, provided documentation showing he worked late last year for the company that employs people to test the autonomous vehicles. He said he was among the first to ride in Waymo vehicles in Nashville.
After being trained by Waymo in Phoenix, he said he rode in the vehicles for four months. His job was to document how the self-driving vehicles maneuvered the city and to forcibly take control of the car if necessary…