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Driverless Bus Hits Pedestrian in Vienna, Interrupting Trials

Vienna’s transit authority suspended further trials pending outcome of the investigation.

Driverless Bus Hits Pedestrian in Vienna, Interrupting Trials
A Navya SAS self-driving shuttle. (Source: Navya SAS)

(Bloomberg) -- Authorities are investigating why a driverless bus struck a pedestrian in Vienna, an incident that resulted in minor injuries but stopped Austrian trials of the technology.

The Navya SAS vehicle was driving at 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) an hour on Thursday when it struck a 30-year-old woman in the knee, according to state broadcaster ORF. Vienna’s transit authority suspended further trials pending outcome of the investigation.

The city has been testing two driverless buses under a program that began June 6. The Austrian Institute of Technology and Siemens mobility are also participating in the project, which required a professional driver on board when the units were operating.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Tirone in Vienna at jtirone@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reed Landberg at landberg@bloomberg.net

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