Insurers Preparing for a World of Autonomous Vehicles
Posted on Jul 28, 2016 in Insurance Developments and Trends, Technology Impacting Auto Insurance | Comments Off on Insurers Preparing for a World of Autonomous Vehicles
When autonomous vehicles become ubiquitous, what will be the need for car insurance? That is the question auto insurers are beginning to face as autonomous vehicle technology promises safer roads and fewer accidents. At least one insurer, State Farm, is participating in research on driverless car equipment through collaboration with automakers and suppliers at the University of...
Morality and Autonomous Vehicles
Posted on Jun 29, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Morality and Autonomous Vehicles
The classic “trolley problem” in ethics is now becoming the “autonomous vehicle problem.” The thought experiment asks: A trolley is hurtling towards five helpless people on a track. Do you pull a lever to divert the trolley onto another track, hitting only one person—or do nothing? The updated question asks whether a driverless car should be programmed to hit three pedestrians in a...
NHTSA to Consider Rear-Seat Safety
Posted on Jun 1, 2016 in Industry News | Comments Off on NHTSA to Consider Rear-Seat Safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will soon begin to test safety for passengers in rear seats as well as in front seats. The increased use of car-sharing services has led to more people riding in rear seats, many times without using seat belts. In addition, consumer advocates contend that although safety has improved for drivers and front-seat passengers, these safety...
Owner Claims Tesla Crashed While Autopilot System Engaged
Posted on May 31, 2016 in Industry News | Comments Off on Owner Claims Tesla Crashed While Autopilot System Engaged
A California driver recently claimed that her car’s self-driving functions caused her to crash into another car on the freeway. According to the owner, her Tesla S Autopilot cruise control system was engaged, but the car failed to slow down when the car in front of her suddenly stopped. The owner says she manually braked but still hit the car in front of her. Tesla contends that the...
Customer Advocacy Groups Accuse the NHTSA of Doing Too Little On Automatic Braking
Posted on May 27, 2016 in Insurance Regulation | Comments Off on Customer Advocacy Groups Accuse the NHTSA of Doing Too Little On Automatic Braking
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been accused by consumer advocacy groups of doing too little to ensure that automatic emergency braking is standard in all light vehicles. The consumer advocacy groups have further accused the NHTSA of entering into a “backroom deal” with automakers to avoid such safety standards. Specifically, the NHTSA entered into an agreement...
