You could also blame the poor urban design.
The car could also have prevented it using IR or LIDAR, but it's not good enough yet and therefore they put someone in to react in such situations.
Poor design may be a factor, but I don't think we can lay blame there. Poor design is common and well known.
Any one who is going to drive, or even go outside alone, is expected to be aware of potential road hazards.
I was surprised at first to find out that the car didn't have IR or other night-sight. I expect that when they do mature to that point, automated cars will greatly outperform humans in nighttime avoidance.
I really think that Darwin was the MVP on this one.
Poor design is common and well known.
Sure, but when there's a passenger road on one side of such a road and the sidewalk is on the other, at least light it decently.
I was surprised at first to find out that the car didn't have IR or other night-sight.
Me too. But this seems to be a thing, to cut costs down even before production starts. And to easily upgrade older cars by software update.
when they do mature to that point, automated cars will greatly outperform humans in nighttime avoidance.
Only with better cameras, the cams used today have poorer vision in the dark than humans.
Also the victim might have been intoxicated (source):
Herzberg, who had herself spent time in prison for drug offenses, stepped out in front of her with a bicycle carrying multiple shopping bags
I should have posted this in /s/StupidPeopleDoingStupidThings, because this was not the cars fault. I'd rule it a suicide, or terminal stupidity.
The woman in the car wasn't looking, but I don't think that would have changed the outcome.