Autonomous Cars Question

Kinja'd!!! "tomtom615" (tomtom615)
03/19/2014 at 07:11 • Filed to: autonomous cars, THE FUTURE, Law Stuff

Kinja'd!!!2 Kinja'd!!! 3
Kinja'd!!!

Okay, with the autonomous car future, who has the liability in case of an accident or infraction? If the liability falls on the manufacturer, I think we are much further off than we think with this technology. For any accident between two self driving cars, one will be at fault, and the manufacturer will be liable for any damages to people or property, and those lawsuits could add up quick. How could the operator be deemed liable if they are using the car as directed? Would you be liable if you didn't install the latest update to the driving software? How about if you have any aftermarket mods to the car? I seriously think this is much further off than most are predicting, not because of the technology, but because of the liability. What are your thoughts?


DISCUSSION (3)


Kinja'd!!! BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > tomtom615
03/19/2014 at 07:23

Kinja'd!!!0

A couple of thoughts: liability always falls to the maker of a product if it's being used correctly. So in theory, it would be the manufacturers fault if and only if the car is on full autopilot during the trip when the accident happens. Second, updates will most likely be automatic. You park in your garage at night, the car hooks up to the wi-fi, and voila! Updated car in the morning. There's no way they'd leave that up to chance or to consumer decision.


Kinja'd!!! webmonkees > tomtom615
03/19/2014 at 07:33

Kinja'd!!!0

The kids will be unplugging the CPU and trying to mess with everyone.

.because drumming to Rush is trickier than compiling your build thread for youtube.


Kinja'd!!! AthomSfere > tomtom615
03/19/2014 at 07:40

Kinja'd!!!0

This really isn't decided yet. Its going to have to be worked out in the courts for a while before it all makes it official.