Pony.ai Fremont driverless test crash

Reuters reports that Pony.ai has agreed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a recall for three vehicles using versions of its automated driving system.

The US DMV had suspended the driverless test permit of the automotive start-up in the wake of a crash of one of its vehicles late October 2021 in Fremont, California. The NHTSA also started an informal inquiry.

According (pdf) to the incident report, the fully autonomous car with no accompanying test driver hit a road center divider and a traffic sign. There were no injuries and other vehicles involved.

The agency says this is the first time it has recalled an automated driving system. Pony.ai had registered 10 Hyundai Motor Kona electric vehicles under its driverless testing permit.

Founded by former Baidu employees, Pony.ai is backed by Toyota Motor Corp.