Automakers Caution Self-Driving Upstarts About Cutting Corners

As the global auto industry vies to deploy driverless cars, some contenders may be cutting corners in a bid to get ahead, carmakers warned in the aftermath of the first pedestrian death tied to the emerging technology.

“Some competitors, not by name because there are several, they’re trying to race to be the first one to show autonomous driving. I’m not so sure what being first gets you,” Jack Hollis, group vice president of U.S. sales for the Toyota brand, said on the sidelines of the New York auto show.

“What’s important is to be able to give the customer 100 percent confidence.”

Read Article

TomM - 3/29/2018 8:35:46 PM

+3 Boost

Again - THIS problem is going to be settled by the courts and the insurance companies - because this COULD open a huge new source of Liability for a Manufacturer that they probably cannot successfully create a car sales contract to help their position. And eventually - the COST of Insurance is going to be an issue.

I still think that the cars are going to need a "driver" available at all times - and actually have a steering wheel and brake pedal - and getting some other form past the State Motor Vehicle departments is going to be tough. Frankly - this is really best used in long distance Truck needs.

What one forgets is that this could probably cause a major recession - Being a "Driver" is still one of the best ways a Middle class person as of making a good living - and there is nothing on the Horizon to replace them.

SanJoseDriver - 3/30/2018 5:47:44 PM

+1 Boost

This year Waymo is launching a service with no safety driver. At that point it will be game over for driving as a career. Pretty much everyone agrees this is the future state, the only question is when. It will happen to other jobs too, will bring up a lot of tough questions.