Nvidia is suspending tests of its self-driving vehicles around the world in the wake of last week’s fatal Uber crash.
Uber is one of Nvidia’s most important automotive customers, using the firm’s computing platform in its Volvo XC90 self-driving cars. Nvidia was testing its own autonomous vehicles in Japan, Germany, New Jersey, and California.
In a statement issued to The Verge, a Nvidia spokesperson said the company will suspend its tests so it can learn from the Uber crash.
“The accident was tragic. It’s a reminder of how difficult SDC technology is and that it needs to be approached with extreme caution and the best safety technologies.
This tragedy is exactly why we’ve committed ourselves to perfecting this life-saving technology. Ultimately AVs will be far safer than human drivers, so this important work needs to continue.”
Toyota has done the same
Nvidia’s decision to pause its testing of fully-autonomous vehicles comes shortly after Toyota made the same move, claiming that the Uber crash had impacted its safety drivers.
To ensure it doesn’t fall too far behind in testing, Nvidia will continue to operate manually driven data collection vehicles around the world.
In the past year, shares in Nvidia have more than doubled as the company is viewed as one of the key players in bringing fully-autonomous vehicles to roads around the globe.