Tesla settles lawsuit over fatal Autopilot crash in US
Tesla has reached a settlement with the family of Wei "Walter" Huang, an Apple engineer who passed away in a crash, involving his Tesla Model X on Autopilot. The company had been gearing up to defend its Autopilot system in court against a wrongful death claim. However, details of the agreement, including financial terms, remain confidential, according to court documents.
Details of the fatal crash
The fatal crash occurred in Mountain View, California, in March 2018. Huang's Tesla Model X, confirmed to be on Autopilot mode, collided with a safety barrier. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified both the Autopilot system and distracted driving, as contributing factors to the accident. Tesla planned to present evidence suggesting that Huang was on his phone at the time of the crash.
Family's lawsuit questions Tesla's Autopilot marketing
The lawsuit filed by Huang's family challenged Tesla's marketing of its Autopilot system. The family argued that Tesla oversold the system's capabilities and did not provide sufficient safeguards against misuse. They claimed that Tesla's promotional strategies led drivers to believe that Autopilot was safer than manual driving, despite known issues with the technology. The case was set for trial this week, where a jury would have determined responsibility for the fatal accident.
Tesla's Autopilot under regulatory scrutiny
Tesla's Autopilot system has faced examination from several regulatory bodies, over concerns about misleading customers and investors regarding its performance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also been investigating Autopilot, initiating over 40 inquiries into mishaps suspected to be linked to Tesla's Autopilot, resulting in 23 fatalities. Despite these investigations, Tesla maintains that drivers bear ultimate responsibility for crashes involving its Autopilot technology.
