A self-driving car operating in autonomous mode struck and killed a mother duck this week in the Mueller neighbourhood of Austin, Texas, raising concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicle technology.
The incident occurred near Mueller Lake Park, where residents said the duck was well-known and regularly seen. A local resident shared that the autonomous vehicle “didn’t slow down or hesitate at all, just steamrolled through” before hitting the duck. They added that the vehicle did not stop after the collision.
An Avride spokesperson confirmed the vehicle was in autonomous mode and stated that the company reviewed vehicle data and behaviour. The spokesperson said on account of anonymity, “We did not find evidence that the vehicle failed to stop at traffic controls. The vehicle came to complete and appropriate stops at all relevant stop signs.”
The spokesperson added, “We are evaluating potential improvements to the technology to help avoid similar situations in the future,” and noted that testing routes around the lake have been adjusted.
No humans were harmed in the incident, but the duck’s death, a familiar local presence, has sparked debate in the community over whether self-driving systems are ready to handle unpredictable situations, such as wildlife crossing the street. Some residents have taken the duck’s eggs into their care and placed them in an incubator.
The event highlights broader concerns about sensor limitations, detection of small animals, and public trust as autonomous technologies are increasingly tested on public roads.
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Bio: An (HND, BA, MBA, MSc) is a tech-savvy digital marketing professional, writing on artificial intelligence, digital tools, and emerging technologies. He holds an HND in Marketing, is a Chartered Marketer, earned an MBA in Marketing Management from LAUTECH, a BA in Marketing Management and Web Technologies from York St John University, and an MSc in Social Business and Marketing Management from the University of Salford, Manchester.
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