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[Update: 05/28 23:38 GMT by mrcoolbp : It appears the driver was testing the auto-braking and/or pedestrian detection packages that the car didn't seem to have. The human driver was in control of the vehicle. This is an at-fault driver, not a 'self-driving' incident. We apologize for any confusion.]
As a group of journalists gathered in the Dominican Republic to report on the self-parking Volvo XC60 (video of the accident available), the group watched as the car reversed itself, then drove into the crowd at speed:
The accident may have happened because owners have to pay for a special feature known as "pedestrian detection functionality," which costs extra. The cars do have auto-braking features as standard, but only for avoiding other cars — if they are to avoid crashing into pedestrians, too, then owners must pay extra.
"It appears as if the car in this video is not equipped with Pedestrian detection," Volvo spokesperson Johan Larsson told Fusion. "This is sold as a separate package."
The pedestrian detection feature, which works using radar behind the grill and a camera in the windshield, costs approximately $3000. The two men injured in the accident were bruised but otherwise OK.
[Editor's Comment: Original Submission]
(Score: 5, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 28 2015, @10:22AM
1 - The driver was not using auto park, no auto park drives that fast.
2 - Volvo auto park does not accelerate by itself, you have to hit the accelerator.
3 - He just drove into some people, made stupid excuses, and it was blindly re-posted here.
4 - Pedestrian avoidance is for driving under 30 km/hr forwards, i don't think it would have had an effect here.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Vanderhoth on Thursday May 28 2015, @10:47AM
Running over journalists... I thought it was a feature.
I don't trust the article either, but where did you get your information refuting it?
"Now we know", "And knowing is half the battle". -G.I. Joooooe
(Score: 5, Informative) by Vanderhoth on Thursday May 28 2015, @11:06AM
After watching the video, to me it looks like the driver was trying to show off the "auto braking" feature that stops the car from running into a wall or other cars. It looks like it had nothing to do with self-parking. That's likely fear mongering some people are pushing agendas with.
It was likely the driver putting full force on the gas expecting the car to stop itself before hitting the people.
Although I can't be 100%, I'm pretty sure this was driver error.
"Now we know", "And knowing is half the battle". -G.I. Joooooe
(Score: 3, Insightful) by frojack on Thursday May 28 2015, @05:38PM
Although I can't be 100%, I'm pretty sure this was driver error.
Well there is a lesson in that for all of us, is there not?
After all, regardless of how the car was or was not equipped, the manufacturer will invariably blame the driver.
Personally, I can't see any evidence that auto-park was being attempted either.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 28 2015, @07:53PM
There is no evidence of anything except that the vehicle was accelerating and did hit some journalists. Anything else shows blatant bias with ignorant speculation.
(Score: 2) by mrcoolbp on Thursday May 28 2015, @11:43PM
After a read-through of the article, it appears you are right. I've updated the story to that effect. Thanks to you and the AC for pointing this out.
(Score:1^½, Radical)
(Score: 3, Touché) by CoolHand on Thursday May 28 2015, @03:17PM
Well, I can't speak for the author, but most of the editors don't have time (or desire) to read that site. I know that cmn32480 and I don't. So I would object to saying it was "blindly reposted." All your other points may be valid.
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