Who is Responsible? Autopilot?

 More such events to follow and to be analyzed. 

Manslaughter Case Has a Strange Twist: Tesla That Killed Couple Was on Autopilot

By Futurism, November 2, 2022

A provocative manslaughter case is about to kick off in Los Angeles later this month, involving a fatal crash caused by a Tesla vehicle that had the company's controversial Autopilot feature turned on.

It's the first case of its kind, and one that could set a precedent for future crashes involving cars and driver-assistance software, Reuters reports.

We won't know the exact defense until the case gets under way, but the crux is that the man who was behind the wheel of the Tesla is facing manslaughter charges — but has pleaded not guilty, setting up potentially novel legal arguments about culpability in a deadly collision when, technically speaking, it wasn't a human driving the car.

From Futurism

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Why No Self Driving Car Yet?

Depends on the specific definition , But Same Answer ....

ACM NEWS

Why Don't You Have A Self-Driving Car Yet?

By Forbes, September 29, 2022

People often ask, "Where's my self-driving car?" "Why don't I have one and when will it come?" A lot of people feel they were promised a car by the late 20-teens and it's late, and perhaps isn't coming, like the flying cars talked about decades ago.

In this two-article series (with accompanying videos) let's look at the core reasons you probably aren't riding in a robocar today, and when it might happen. What are the core technological, legal and social issues standing in the way, and, and what issues actually aren't blockers?

For most of us, these cars can't get here soon enough. They have the promise of avoiding a decent fraction of today's car accidents which kill over a million each year around the world. They will make our lives easier and rewrite the principles of transportation. In doing that, they will rewrite where we live and the very nature of the city, as well as dozens of other industries from energy to retailing. Every day we delay getting these things out on the road in volume, thousands will die at the hands of people who shouldn't have been driving. Every day we delay.

In Forbes: 

GM Recalls RoboTaxi Code for Update after Crash

An example of how automotive complexity will increase in context. 

GM's Cruise Recalls, Updates Software in Robotaxis

By TechCrunch, September 9, 2022

A crash in June prompted General Motors' Cruise autonomous vehicle (AV) unit to recall 80 robotaxis and update their software.

In a regulatory filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Cruise attributed the June collision to a "rare circumstance" in which the automated driving system caused the unmanned robotaxi to brake hard while making an unprotected left turn.

"The report explains how the Cruise AV responded to an oncoming vehicle speeding in the wrong lane, and how through our normal course of continuous improvements, Cruise AVs are even better equipped to prevent this singular, exceptional event," the unit said.

Cruise explained the automated driving system had chosen the risk scenario with the least potential for a serious crash, before the oncoming vehicle suddenly shifted direction.  .... 

Cruise said in a regulatory filing the software recall was issued because of a "rare circumstance" in which the automated driving system caused the driverless robotaxi to brake hard while making an unprotected left turn.... ' 

From TechCrunch  

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Can AI End All Car Crashes?

 What safety record does it have to have to make it?  At what level of automation? When? 

Can AI All but End Car Crashes? The Potential Is There

The New York Times, Tanya Mohn, April 19, 2022

Although artificial intelligence (AI) already has been deployed to improve road safety through smartphone apps that monitor safe driving and connected vehicles that communicate with each other and road infrastructure, proponents of the technology believe it also can be used to predict and help to prevent dangerous driving behaviors. Australia's Acusensus, for instance, has rolled out systems that use AI algorithms to assess driver distraction, occupant restraint, and vehicle speed using cameras installed on overpasses and other infrastructure. The company’s Heads-Up Real Time product, which has been proposed for use in the U.S., would deliver data and images in real time to law enforcement. Acusensus technology also can be used to pinpoint "hot spots" where enforcement or infrastructure should be improved. On the other hand, the technology also raises concerns about privacy issues.  ... 

(Excerpt) 

Drawback of Machine Learning and Self-Driving Cars

Good piece by Lance Eliot.

Strict Literal Interpretation Is A Hardheaded Drawback Of Machine Learning And Likewise Bad For AI Self-Driving Cars

Lance Eliot Contributor  in Fortune.

ON Transportation

Dr. Lance B. Eliot is a world-renowned expert on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

Includes an audio transcript at the link that makes the interesting case that cars taught by machine learning and used in contextually confusing environments make mistakes.     Yes they do, as humans do.

Wal-Mart Testing Self Driving Cars with Ford

Unexpected thing.  With a delivery angle too.. 

Walmart to Test Self-Driving Cars with Ford, Argo AI

CNBC, Michael Wayland, September 15, 2021

Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is extending its self-driving vehicle program to include Ford Motor and Ford/Volkswagen-backed autonomous car startup Argo AI, in order to trial autonomous deliveries in Miami, the District of Columbia, and Austin, TX. Customers can place order groceries and other items online for door-to-door autonomous delivery under the program. Walmart's Tom Ward said, "This collaboration will further our mission to get products to the homes of our customers with unparalleled speed and ease, and in turn, will continue to pave the way for autonomous delivery." An Argo AI spokesperson said the partners initially will deploy a small fleet of autonomous delivery vehicles in each of the three trial cities, which will expand over time. Argo AI's Bryan Salesky said the deployments will demonstrate "the potential for autonomous vehicle delivery services at scale."