Motorcycles move differently from cars, especially in a crowded urban area. They weave in and out of lanes, split lanes, and often come closer to cars than other vehicles do. Motorcycles are also smaller and harder to see on the road, a factor that contributes to the high percentage of crashes reported per percentage of motorcycle drivers.
Self-driving cars do not get distracted like human drivers, and our cars’ cameras and sensors provide a 360 degree view of all vehicles on the road. This article from Bloomberg outlines that driver distraction is another large factor in crashes, and anticipates that autonomous vehicles will drastically reduce motorcycle crashes and fatalities.
This video demonstrates a few scenarios of the Torc self-driving car detecting and responding to motorcycles in the road. In the first clip, three motorcycles maneuver between lanes and cross the Torc car’s path as traffic is inching forward. Our vehicle waits for the motorcycles to leave the path before closing the gap in front of it. The second clip shows the Torc car allowing space for a motorcyclist splitting the lane, and waiting for it to pass before traveling. The third shows a motorcyclist changing lanes in a small gap between cars, and our self-driving car reacting appropriately.
We’re showcasing the capabilities of our autonomous car system on real public roads with real scenarios the car has encountered. To get updates on the latest videos, check back on our blog or subscribe to our YouTube channel.