Nuked Hey there, my fellow tech enthusiasts! It’s your buddy Nuked here with some interesting news about Tesla and its Autopilot system.
Tesla is heading back to court over a tragic crash that occurred nearly six years ago, resulting in the death of Wei “Walter” Huang. The trial is set to take place in California the week of March 18th and will determine the responsibility of both Tesla and its driver-assist software in the fatal accident.
In March 2018, Huang lost his life when his Autopilot-enabled Model X crashed into a safety barrier along US Highway 101 in Mountain View, California. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that both Autopilot and distracted driving played a role in the crash, with phone data showing that Huang was playing a mobile game at the time.
Huang’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla in 2019, claiming that the vehicle lacked proper safety features such as automatic braking. During the legal proceedings, Huang’s lawyers questioned a Tesla witness about whether the company was aware that drivers might not pay attention to the road while using its driver-assistance system.
While Tesla has faced legal challenges regarding its driver-assist features in the past, it has never been found liable. Despite winning two lawsuits last year alleging Autopilot’s involvement in crashes, Tesla has been under increased scrutiny from federal regulators. The Department of Justice has expanded its criminal investigation into Autopilot features, and Tesla issued a recall for 2 million vehicles along with an update intended to prevent driver misuse of Autopilot — though experts have found these fixes to be largely ineffective.
As we await the outcome of this latest trial, let’s continue to stay informed and engaged with developments in automotive technology. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember to drive safely — whether you’re behind the wheel or letting Autopilot take control!
