Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty
The Japanese automaker announced the move Fridayin a statement addressing the accident, which occurred Thursday within the Athletes' Village. The pedestrian in question was attempting to cross the street at a designated crossing when they were hit.
“Firstly, we would like to express our sincerest apologies to the individual that was injured due to this unfortunate collision and we wish them a speedy recovery,” Toyota said in the statement.
The company also apologized “for any inconvenience caused to those who use our mobility vehicles in the Athletes' Village” due to the incident.
Police said an e-Palette bus was turning right at an intersection in the village as Kitazono walked across the street, per theTimes. The 30-year-old sustained bruises on his head and body as a result.
Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty
Kitazono’s coach Yoshiyasu Endo said the athlete will no longer compete in the men’s 81-kilogram division on Saturday as he rests following the crash.
“He also wanted to take good care of himself. We feel regret, but I think he is the most disappointed,” Endo told theTimes.
Shortly before the accident, authorities said the same bus had stopped after a security guard who was close to the intersection was detected on its sensor.
Toyota President Akio Toyodapersonally apologized for the incidenton YouTube, noting “there was some overconfidence” in the autonomous driving concept.
“A vehicle is stronger than a person, so I was obviously worried about how they were,” he explained in the clip, later noting that the crash “shows that autonomous vehicles are not yet realistic for normal roads.”
“We are very sorry that the accident has made many people worried,” Toyoda added.
A Toyota spokesperson toldBusiness Insiderthat there is no timetable for resuming the use of e-Palette vehicles at this time.
source: people.com
