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Makers of autonomous-driving systems say drivers still need to be fully engaged.
David GannonAFP via Getty Images
If the auto industry and safety regulators don’t act quickly to define best practices about new, increasingly sophisticated autonomous-driving features, the courts just might.
According to multiple media reports,
Tesla
(TSLA) is being sued in Texas after a driver who police say was drunk struck police officers in his Tesla vehicle. The suit alleges that the car’s basic autonomous-driving safety system, called Autopilot, is defective because it is unable to identify vehicles, such as police cars, that use flashing lights, according to a statement from the law firms representing the officers.
“The officers seek compensation for their injuries and $10 million in punitive damages, contending that the defective Autopilot system has been known by Tesla and its founder Elon Musk for years,” the statement says.
Tesla didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Tesla’s autonomous driving features, however, aren’t intended to handle all situations, such as flashing lights of service vehicles. All drivers are supposed to be fully engaged in the task of driving 100% of the time. Tesla is working toward making cars recognize all driving situations, including traffic stops, but it doesn’t claim the cars can handle unusual situations without driver intervention.
All auto makers, including Tesla, are quick to point out that all autonomous safety systems require drivers to be engaged, with eyes on the roads, at all times. Tesla, for its part, also publishes safety statistics showing its autonomous-driving features improve vehicle safety.
Still, safety regulators and Congress have expressed some concern over the rollout of autonomous driving features and the naming of features such as Autopilot, saying some of the names might suggest drivers don’t need to pay attention. Tesla’s more advanced autonomous-driving system is called Full Self Driving, or FSD.
Volvo, which also offers a partly autonomous driving system, calls its product Pilot Assist.
General Motors
(GM) and
Ford Motor
(F) call their systems Super Cruise and Blue Cruise, respectively.
Tesla recently rolled out the newest version of its FSD software. Drivers need to earn the features by allowing Tesla to track their habits, and then achieving high safety scores. The tracking system can also be used to price insurance coverage that Tesla offers.
Tesla stock isn’t reacting to the lawsuit. Shares were down 1.7% in early trading, but the market overall is weak. The
Nasdaq Composite
was off 2%. The
S&P 500
and
Dow Jones Industrial Average
fell 1.5% and 1.1%, respectively.
Rising interest rates are hitting high-growth stocks, many of which are listed on the Nasdaq, harder than others on Tuesday morning.
Write to Al Root at allen.root@dowjones.com