Tesla Settles Autopilot Crash Lawsuit

story

APR 9 2024

Image copyright: Kevin Dietsch/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated APR 10 2024

The Facts

Elon Musk-owned Tesla has settled a lawsuit with the family of Walter Huang, an Apple engineer killed in a 2018 crash involving a Model X on Autopilot. Details of the deal are unknown.
Huang was using the driver assistance system when he crashed into a divider in California, placing Tesla's Autopilot and "Full Self Driving" tech under a lens.
In 2019, Huang's family sued Tesla for negligence and wrongful death, alleging it misled customers into believing they could drive without remaining alert. The case was scheduled to be tried this week.

The Spin

Narrative A

Tesla is up front with its customers that their full focus is an absolute requirement while driving its cars on Autopilot. The company informs them of the need to be ready to take control at any moment, so you can't blame the company or its technology if the driver fails to follow these instructions.

Forbes

Narrative B

Tesla needs to be held responsible for the misconceptions surrounding its Autopilot feature. Misunderstanding — partly attributed to misleading labeling like "Full Self-Driving" — is a key reason for the series of crashes involving its cars. Clearer names could aid comprehension and be crucial for users to grasp the technology's limits.

Washington Post