Cruise Official Calls for Better Self-Driving Safety Reporting
» Posted March 25, 2020 • Resources | Share This Post
As a wide variety of tech and auto companies prepare for life after human drivers, some say the information being tracked to gauge the safety of autonomous vehicles is not painting the full picture.
Safety officials and manufacturers are focusing too much on disengagement – or the number of times human safety drivers have to take the wheel on autonomous cars – Cruise cofounder Kyle Vogt says in a new Medium post. Instead, Vogt says self-driving firms should produce other metrics that provide “a) data on the true performance of human drivers and AVs in a given environment and b) an objective, apples-to-apples comparison with statistically significant results.”
“The idea that disengagements give a meaningful signal about whether an AV is ready for commercial deployment is a myth,” Vogt says.
Vogt’s comments come as California has been publicly releasing disengagement data on self-driving cars being tested in the Golden State. He says the statistics do not allow for a straight comparison between autonomous vehicle makers because they do not account for weather, driving complexity and road conditions.
Cruise, whose investors include General Motors and Honda, is already one of the biggest names in the self-driving game. California recently approved the company to carry passengers in its all-electric, autonomous cars.
Legal Rights for California Car Owners
While carmakers try to get self-driving vehicles right, they also have their hands full trying to produce traditional automobiles without serious defects. Unfortunately, thousands of cars are recalled every month for significant defects that could cause serious injuries.
That is where the California lemon law comes in. The law requires car manufacturers to make various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. A manufacturer who is unable or unwilling to fix the problem must buy back the vehicle and reimburse the owner for financing charges and other related expenses. The manufacturer can instead offer to replace the car but it is up to the owner to decide whether to take that option.
The law also requires the carmaker to pick up the tab for any legal fees that an owner incurs enforcing his or her rights.
Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a car owner or lessor who is grappling with your car’s manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.
At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.
