Cruise Recalls ADS Over Sudden Braking Risks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has concluded its Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-014) into Cruise LLC’s Automated Driving System (ADS), which led to a significant safety recall. The investigation, launched on December 12, 2022, focused on reports of inappropriately hard braking and vehicle immobilizations in Cruise ADS-equipped vehicles. Following a comprehensive analysis, Cruise issued a recall to address the software issues causing these safety concerns.

Key Highlights:

Safety Recall Issued: On August 9, 2024, Cruise initiated a recall (NHTSA Recall No. 24E-067) to resolve unexpected braking maneuvers caused by software inaccuracies in predicting the paths of nearby vehicles.
Recall Impact: The recall affects all Cruise ADS-equipped vehicles within the U.S. fleet.
Problem Details: The Cruise ADS software was found to cause sudden braking if it misjudged the movements of close-following vehicles or misinterpreted potential risks ahead.
Software Fix: Cruise has implemented updates to the ADS software, aimed at improving perception, prediction, and planning to minimize unexpected braking incidents.
NHTSA’s Decision: With the recall and software updates in place, NHTSA has closed its investigation but may take additional action if new concerns arise.

The recall was prompted by the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) after identifying potential safety risks associated with the Cruise ADS. The evaluation revealed that while immobilizations did not result in any crashes or injuries, hard braking events triggered by the ADS were linked to 10 crashes, including 4 that involved injuries to vulnerable road users.

To mitigate these risks, Cruise filed a safety recall to update the ADS software, addressing issues related to unexpected braking maneuvers. The updates focus on enhancing the system’s ability to accurately predict the actions of nearby vehicles and improve overall sensor precision.

Following these corrective measures, the NHTSA has officially closed the Preliminary Evaluation but remains vigilant for any new developments that could warrant further investigation.

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