Apple Reports First Autonomous Collision in Calif.

Sept. 4, 2018
Apple said that its first autonomous vehicle crash in California occurred at the end of August.

September 4, 2018—Apple said that its first autonomous vehicle crash occurred in California, reported CNBC.

The accident during an autonomous driving test took place at 2:58 p.m. PST on Aug. 24, in Santa Clara, near Apple's headquarters in Cupertino. The vehicle was a Lexus RX450h (which Apple has used in its car research), according to the filing Apple employee Steve Kenner submitted to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, reported CNBC.

"An Apple test vehicle in autonomous mode was rear-ended while preparing to merge onto Lawrence Expressway South from Kifer Road," according to the report, which the DMV published on Friday. "The Apple test vehicle was traveling less than 1 mph waiting for a safe gap to complete the merge when a 2016 Nissan Leaf contacted the Apple test vehicle at approximately 15 mph. Both vehicles sustained damage and no injuries were reported by either party."

According to the report, Apple has been researching and testing self-driving cars, but its project has only come to light through occasional disclosures, not from the company itself. Alphabet, meanwhile, has been more transparent about the autonomous car research going on at its Waymo arm.

Sponsored Recommendations

Best Body Shop and the 360-Degree-Concept

Spanesi ‘360-Degree-Concept’ Enables Kansas Body Shop to Complete High-Quality Repairs

How Fender Bender Operator of the Year, Morrow Collision Center, Achieves Their Spot-On Measurements

Learn how Fender Bender Operator of the Year, Morrison Collision Center, equipped their new collision facility with “sleek and modern” equipment and tools from Spanesi Americas...

ADAS Applications: What They Are & What They Do

Learn how ADAS utilizes sensors such as radar, sonar, lidar and cameras to perceive the world around the vehicle, and either provide critical information to the driver or take...

Coach Works implements the Spanesi Touch system

Coach Works Uses Spanesi Equipment to Ensure a Safe and Proper Repair for Customers