Self-driving cars are a topic that generates both fascination and skepticism. As they spread across cities around the world, the debate about their safety continues. Are they really safer than human drivers? Waymo, one of the leading companies in the development of this technology, has taken an important step towards transparency by publishing data on its incidents and comparing them with those of vehicles driven by humans. And the results are, to say the least, striking.
In collaboration with the insurance company Swiss Re, Waymo has analyzed the incidents of its autonomous vehicles in Austin, Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, where it has accumulated an impressive 25.3 million miles. This data has been compared with Swiss Re's information on incidents of vehicles driven by its customers, providing a solid basis for comparison.
The main conclusion is overwhelming: Waymo's autonomous cars show a significantly higher level of safety than those driven by humans. The numbers speak for themselves: an 88% reduction in property damage claims and a staggering 92% in personal injury claims. These data, visualized in a clear and concise graph published by Waymo (see image below), reinforce the idea that autonomous technology has the potential to revolutionize road safety.
In a world saturated with often polarized opinions, Waymo's decision to publish this data is a breath of fresh air. The debate about autonomous cars needs to be based on evidence, not conjecture or sensational headlines. And this data provides a solid basis for an informed discussion.
Personally, I am a strong advocate of autonomous cars, as long as their safety is widely demonstrated, as seems to be the case with Waymo. Road safety is an unfinished business for humanity. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people lose their lives on the roads.
In the United States alone, the figure exceeds 40,000. However, this tragic reality barely makes headlines and no one is considering banning cars. Instead, any incident, however minor, involving an autonomous car becomes global news, fuelling distrust of this technology.
This double standard of information is worrying. We must be consistent and apply the same yardstick when assessing risks. The magnitude of the road safety problem demands that we explore all possible solutions, and autonomous driving, with its promising results, should not be dismissed out of fear or misinformation.
The current landscape of autonomous cars is a mix of promising advances and persistent challenges. News of new robotaxi services in different cities constantly appear, suggesting a future in which autonomous mobility will be an everyday reality. However, the present is still uncertain. The profitability of these services remains a challenge for companies, and public acceptance, although increasing, still has a long way to go.
Waymo's publication of safety data is a crucial step in the right direction. Transparency breeds trust, and trust is essential for mass adoption of any new technology, especially one that entrusts us with our lives. It is critical that other companies in the industry follow Waymo’s lead and share their safety data openly and transparently. Only then can we gain a full view of the potential of autonomous driving and make informed decisions about its implementation.
The future of mobility is at stake, and safety must be the top priority. Waymo’s data shows us that autonomous driving has the potential to save lives and dramatically reduce traffic accidents. Now is the time to embrace responsible innovation and work together to build a safer mobility future for all.
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