On First Day, Self-Driving Bus Is Slammed by Tram

The debut of a self-driving bus in Gothenburg, Sweden, lasted about an hour before it was rear-ended by a tram. Reuters reports that the e-ATAK electric autonomous bus, built by Turkish manufacturer Karsan and operating as part of a yearlong trial, had just started taking paying passengers on Monday when it braked and was struck from behind, according to transit operator Vasttrafik. No one was injured, but the incident immediately sharpened scrutiny on how driverless vehicles fit into busy city streets.

A Vasttrafik spokesperson said the circumstances are under investigation and noted there was a safety driver on board prepared to assume control if necessary. Footage aired by public broadcaster SVT showed visible damage to the bus and a sign on its rear that read: "Keep distance! The bus may brake sharply." Meanwhile, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency notes that individuals on social media slammed Reuters for its headline on the incident, claiming that the wording made it appear as if the autonomous vehicle were somehow at fault for a routine traffic accident, thereby hurting Karsan's reputation.