Tesla Drivers May See Big Changes in Autopilot
» Posted December 3, 2018 • Resources | Share This Post
Tesla drivers could get an autopilot upgrade by the Spring. The company’s outspoken chief executive officer also says technology is on the way that will eventually allow owners to let the car do the driving.
“Your Tesla will soon be able to go from your garage at home to parking at work with no driver input at all,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a recent Tweet.
The Navigate on Autopilot system built into newer Tesla models gives the car the power to guide the vehicle through on and off ramps and suggest driver-supervised lane changes. Musk says Tesla is already working on upgrades that will let the system navigate traffic lights, stop signs and roundabouts without driver input.
The news comes as lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are still grappling with possible legislation to that could pave the way for fully driverless cars to hit the road. Critics of that move are concerned about the safety implications of technology they say hasn’t been properly tested.
The autopilot system currently requires a driver to have at least one hand on the wheel. Some safety advocates worry that it lets drivers mind wander too much while still requiring input from the person behind the wheel.
A California driver died in March 2018 after his Tesla Model X crashed into a media and then two other cars on the 101 in Mountain View. A preliminary investigation showed that the car sped up in the seconds before the collision.
Legal Rights for California Car Buyers
Driverless technology like that being advanced by Tesla could revolutionize driving and even make motorists safer by eventually eliminating human error. The problem, however, is that many automobiles don’t always perform as expected. A wide variety of manufacturing defects can leave cars malfunctioning and potentially dangerous.
The good news for motorists in the Golden State is that the California Lemon Law may offer some protections.
The law requires manufacturers of certain defective vehicles that haven’t been repaired after multiple attempts to compensate the owner or replace the vehicle. The money damages available include compensation for the purchase price and/or down payment and financing costs, as well as rental car, towing and repair expenses.
The law applies to both new and used cars, if repair attempts happen during the vehicle’s warranty period.
Talk With an Experienced California Lemon Law Lawyer
If you’re a California car owner driving a lemon, it is vital that you consult an experienced lawyer to consider your rights an options. The California Lemon Law attorneys at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. We understand the significant stress that can come with haggling with car dealers and manufacturers. Our lawyers work aggressively to resolve these cases for the people that we represent.
Our offices are conveniently located in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an attorney.
