1. Walter Huang died in a Tesla Model X crash due to alleged Autopilot system malfunction.
2. Lawsuit claims Tesla’s Autopilot system was defective and caused Huang’s death.
3. Tesla faces product liability, failure to warn, and other allegations in the trial set to begin in 2024.
Walter Huang tragically died in a crash while using Tesla’s Autopilot system. His family is suing Tesla, alleging that the Autopilot system was defective and caused the crash. The lawsuit also names the State of California Department of Transportation for failing to replace a safety barrier at the crash site. Tesla plans to offer a defense blaming Huang for not taking control of the car.
The lawyers for Huang’s estate suggest that Tesla knew drivers might misuse Autopilot and failed to address this issue. Experts believe the case could challenge Tesla’s claim of Autopilot safety. Tesla’s former president, Jon McNeill, admitted in an email that he became complacent using Autopilot. Despite marketing Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features, Tesla has not achieved full autonomy yet.
The issue of ‘the handoff’ between AI and human control is a concern. Studies show drivers may take time to regain control when automation fails. Plaintiffs question Tesla’s expectation for quick driver transitions. Musk resisted calls for more advanced driver-monitoring systems, believing Tesla cars will soon be fully autonomous. Consumer Reports noted Tesla’s Autopilot failures in road tests even after updates. The trial for Huang’s case will provide more insights into Tesla’s Autopilot system and driver responsibility.