Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller
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Lewis Pierce's post about the incident within the Mueller neighborhood Facebook group. Photo credit: Facebook
Autonomous vehicle company Avride is facing backlash after a resident said one of its cars struck and killed a duck near Mueller Lake Park on Tuesday.
Why it matters: The incident reinforces concerns about whether autonomous vehicles can safely navigate complex, real-world environments — especially as they operate in pedestrian-heavy areas with pets and wildlife.
Driving the news: Avride spokesperson Yulia Shveyko confirmed the company was investigating a "wildlife collision" and has temporarily paused testing on roads around Mueller Lake while it reviews the incident.
- Avride, which has operated autonomous food delivery robots for several years in Austin, began testing self-driving cars last year.
What they're saying: Resident Lewis Pierce, who initially posted about the incident in a Mueller neighborhood Facebook group, said Avride's car did not slow down or stop after hitting the duck.
- "It was quite disturbing and really made me doubt the safety of those vehicles," Pierce tells Axios.
Zoom in: Pierce also alleged the car ran a stop sign before the incident and nearly hit his vehicle, which the company denies.
- "Our vehicles are designed to operate in compliance with applicable traffic laws, using onboard systems to detect and respond to road conditions, road users, and obstacles," Shveyko told Axios in an email.
- "The vehicle came to complete and appropriate stops at all relevant stop signs," Shveyko said, adding that Avride will continue to analyze all related data.
- The vehicle had a human safety driver behind the wheel during the incident, according to Shveyko.
Between the lines: Austin-based Avride has operated in Mueller since 2024 with its food delivery robots, according to the company.
- "We have always strived to be open and engaged with the community, taking every piece of feedback about our technologies seriously," Shveyko said. "Our vehicles are not an exception."
What's next: Residents picked up the duck's eggs, which were in a pot outside of L'Oca d'Oro, and are caring for them in an incubator, according Pierce and other residents in the Facebook group.
