The country’s first self-driving shuttle experienced a minor setback shortly after its launch near the Las Vegas Strip when it was struck by a delivery truck less than two hours into service. Authorities determined the shuttle was not at fault, no injuries were reported, and the truck driver received a citation.
Passenger Jenny Wong described the moment to KSNV: “The shuttle just stayed still. And we were like, it’s going to hit us, it’s going to hit us. And then it hit us. The shuttle didn’t have the ability to move back. The shuttle just stayed still.”
Designed to carry up to eight passengers, the shuttle is equipped with seatbelts and automatic emergency braking. It does not have a steering wheel or pedals; however, an onboard attendant monitors the system via a computer and can take control if necessary.
The shuttle was developed by the French company Navya. It is capable of reaching speeds up to 25 mph, though typical operation is around 15 mph for safety in urban environments.
In a statement to KSNV, a City of Las Vegas representative explained that the shuttle’s sensors detected the delivery truck and brought the vehicle to a stop as designed. The truck failed to stop and grazed the shuttle’s front fender. The statement noted that if the truck had been equipped with similar sensing technology, the collision likely would have been avoided.
Officials said testing will continue as part of a 12-month pilot program in the downtown Innovation District, during which operators will monitor performance and safety while gathering data to inform future deployments.