Florida Judge Finds Tesla Aware of Autopilot Defects
A Florida judge has determined there is “reasonable evidence” that Tesla and its executives, including CEO Elon Musk, were aware of defects in its Autopilot system but continued allowing its use in unsafe conditions. The ruling opens the door for a lawsuit seeking punitive damages over a fatal 2019 crash.
Key Details of the Case
- Judge Reid Scott of Palm Beach County Circuit Court concluded Tesla engaged in intentional misconduct and gross negligence.
- The lawsuit stems from a 2019 crash involving Stephen Banner, whose Tesla Model 3 collided with an 18-wheeler, killing him while Autopilot was active.
- The case could force Tesla to disclose confidential data and may require Musk to testify.
Autopilot’s Safety Controversy
Tesla’s Autopilot is an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) designed for tasks like:
- Highway navigation
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic lane changes
However, the judge cited a misleading 2016 video, overseen by Musk, that falsely portrayed Autopilot as fully autonomous. Testimony from engineers and experts revealed:
- Autopilot failed to detect cross-traffic in Banner’s crash and a similar 2016 fatality.
- No system improvements were made between the two incidents despite known risks.
Legal Precedents and Tesla’s Defense
Tesla has previously won two Autopilot-related lawsuits in California, arguing crashes resulted from human error. In Banner’s case:
- The NTSB found the truck driver failed to yield, and Banner was inattentive.
- However, Autopilot did not issue warnings to regain driver control.
What’s Next?
- The trial, delayed from October, could reveal internal Tesla data on Autopilot’s limitations.
- If punitive damages are awarded, it may set a new legal precedent for autonomous vehicle liability.
Tesla has not commented on the ruling. The case (No. 50-2019-CA-009962) continues in Florida’s Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
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