Autopilot: Tesla reaches a settlement with the family of an Apple engineer who died at the wheel of his Model

In March 2018, Apple engineer Walter Huang died behind the wheel of his Tesla Model X following a road accident. Investigation revealed that the vehicle was in Autopilot mode and the man may have been playing a game on his phone. Tesla apparently settled the matter out of court, avoiding a lengthy hearing on the role its driver assistance technology may have played in the crash.

The document disclosed this agreement earlier this week, without disclosing the amount negotiated. The driver’s Tesla hit a highway barrier at 70 mph (114 km/h) in Mountain View, California. The car is allegedly rigged by a method described by Tesla’s lawyers as ” deleted and almost deleted “. Then the car got out and followed a more open line to the left before entering the guard post.

One of the key questions in the trial would be whether Tesla had adequately warned its customers about the vulnerability of its Autopilot. The company says it makes it clear that drivers must have their hands on the wheel, which was not the case for Walter Huang. In its manual, Tesla explains that its technology may not work properly when it cannot accurately determine the marking or when bright light interferes with the camera’s view.

If the agreement in Huang’s case was not confirmed by a judge, Tesla’s lawyers say that both parties signed it. According to Washington Post, the pilot has been involved in 700 accidents since 2019, including at least 19 deaths. Tesla has so far won its lawsuits on this issue, with another victory last year. The tide may turn: the manufacturer will have to face other such tests in the coming months.