Jane Sheppard here, bringing you the latest from the unfolding story of Tesla Inc. as they prepare for a high-profile trial concerning the safety of their Autopilot system. The car company is banking on technical support from Apple Inc. to establish that a Model X driver, who happened to be an employee of the iPhone company, was distracted by a video game when he crashed and died.
The Controversy
The family of Walter Huang, the deceased engineer, claim that his former employer is clandestinely aiding Tesla’s attempt to pin the blame on distracted driving for the accident. Despite a thorough investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, no definitive conclusion was reached regarding Huang’s activities in the crucial moments before the crash.
Tesla, based on their analysis of Huang’s iPhone, suggests that he was engrossed in Total War: Three Kingdoms, a game by Sega. However, the Huang family’s attorneys argue that the mere presence of the open game app on his screen doesn’t necessarily mean Huang was playing it at the time of the crash.
A Legal Tussle
As the trial is set to begin in a week’s time in state court, both sides are now arguing over whether Apple’s engineering manager can be called as a witness. It’s worth noting that Tesla has emerged victorious in two previous California trials over Autopilot, where the driver-assistance system was blamed after vehicles veered off the road.
- James Harding, an Apple engineering manager, provided a sworn statement suggesting possible user interaction on Huang’s phone at the time of the crash, which could have been a screen touch or button press.
- The attorneys representing the Huang family allege that Tesla purposefully concealed its interaction with Harding until after the pretrial fact-finding deadlines had lapsed. They are now pressing Apple to divulge more information, although Apple is resisting this, stating that it shouldn’t have to relinquish confidential material.
The NTSB Report
The NTSB identified the probable cause of Huang’s crash as a mix of “limitations” with the Autopilot system and the driver’s “distraction likely from a cell phone game application and over-reliance” on Autopilot. It was also observed that the Model X’s computer detected Huang’s hands were off the steering wheel moments before the crash. Adding to this, the agency also criticized California’s highway department for not repairing the barrier that Huang’s car hit after it was damaged in a previous crash.
The impending trial underscores the ongoing debate about the safety and reliability of automated driving systems like Tesla’s Autopilot. As this case unfolds, it will undoubtedly set a precedent for future situations where technology and user culpability intersect.
For more updates on this story and other local news, stay tuned. This is Jane Sheppard, keeping you informed and engaged.
