A couple of months ago, Tesla Motors announced that it plans to add a couple of automated driving features to the Model S sedan, with a software update that would allow the car to drive itself on major highways, in a move that highlights the company’s commitment to making driverless cars a reality. But, like the autonomous driving technologies developed by other automakers, the introduction of Tesla’s “Autopilot” package is bound to raise some regulatory concerns, mostly in terms of insurance and liability in case the vehicle gets involved in an accident while driving itself.
One of the most intriguing features of the “Autopilot” package is the automatic passing functionality, which allows the car to change lanes and overtake other vehicles without the help of a driver. But it is also the feature that raises the most questions about liability, as it might conflict with various laws in several states, requiring a driver to have their hands at the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving.
As it turns out, though, Tesla has thought about the potential regulatory problems this feature might face, and has already developed a very simple and cheap solution, according to media reports. The Wall Street Journal reports that Tesla has decided to use a low-tech solution to resolve liability issues that might occur when Model S drivers activate the car’s Autopilot mode.
The idea is to have a driver activate the car’s autopassing system by pressing the turn signal, which would turn responsibility from the car’s autonomous driving system over to the driver. By activating the turn signal, the driver shows that he/she has determined that the conditions on the road at that given moment allow for such a maneuver to be performed in a safe manner, basically acknowledging that he/she will assume responsibility in case his/her action results in a collision and brings the safety of other road users in jeopardy. This way, if the semi-autonomous Model S crashes into another vehicle while in Autopilot mode, the driver will be held liable, relieving the automaker of responsibility.
“Tesla is venturing into the mushy middle of automation, where the human still performs part of the driving task, the computer performs other parts,” said Bryant Walker Smith, an assistant professor of law at University of South Carolina, in a statement for the Wall Street Journal.
This solution could help insurance companies and law enforcement resolve accidents involving driverless vehicles much more easily, without having to worry about who is to blame in these types of situations.
At the moment, the biggest dilemma in the insurance industry regarding driverless cars is who should take all of the liability in the event of an accident, with some suggesting it should be the vehicle’s manufacturer, and others arguing that it should be some of the vehicle occupants.
The “Autopilot” package is part of Tesla’s 7.0 update for the Model S, which includes several automated features, but the company hasn’t given any indications as to when the autopassing feature will be added to the all-electric luxury sedan.