Waymo Responds Quickly to a Highway Accident Caused by Speeding Drivers

A video by Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov shows a Waymo encountering speeders on the highway traveling at more than 125 miles per hour (over 200 km/h). During the reckless passing maneuvers, one vehicle loses control and crashes into the median barrier, skids across the four-lane highway, and comes to a stop perpendicular to the right lane. Thanks to Waymo’s sensors, we then see the driver fleeing on foot.

What is interesting is the Waymo’s own reaction: it detects the high speeds of the approaching vehicles, recognizes the unusual driving behavior, applies the brakes, and then swerves to avoid the skidding vehicle. Higher speeds on highways—and even higher speeds caused by speeders—leave no room for error, and the system must react quickly to avoid becoming involved in the accident itself. By the way, the speed limit on that stretch of highway was 65 miles per hour (about 110 km/h)

This article was also published in German.