Apple’s Self-Driving Car Reports First Accident: How it Happened

Apple has said that its self-driving car was not at fault for the accident.

Apple has deployed Lexus SUVs as its self-driving car. 

(Photo: iStock)

One of Apple's self-driving vehicles was involved in an accident during the test drive in US' California, and sustained moderate damage in the crash, the media reported.

Apple's autonomous car got into its very first crash one week ago in Sunnyvale, according to a report filed by Apple with the California Department of Motor Vehicles this week, The Verge reported on Friday.

However, it does not appear that Apple was at fault for the collision as the software was intact. Apple is currently testing a number of Lexus SUVs in California. The vehicle in question was reportedly in autonomous mode at the time.

The Apple car carrying special equipment and sensors was hit by a Nissan car from behind.

Both cars sustained damage but neither car's passengers received any injuries, the report said.

Apple has a fleet of nearly 45 test self-driving vehicles in California.

The company has also partnered with Volkswagen to help create a fleet of self-driving employee shuttles for its Cupertino campus.

The self-driving cars, touted as the best bet for safe future travel, however, have been involved in some fatal accidents. On 18 March, an Arizona woman was killed by an Uber self-driving car.

Five days later, the occupant of a Tesla Model X died after the vehicle hit a highway barrier in California and caught fire.

In 2016, the occupant of a Tesla running on its autopilot system in Florida was killed in a collision with a truck the Tesla car failed to spot.