Tesla agrees to pay compensation for tragic Autopilot crash
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Tesla was prepared to fight allegations of misconduct related to the death with the autopilot system, in court, but decided to settle the case instead.
Unexpectedly, Tesla decided to enter into a settlement agreement with the family of Wei “Walter” Huang, an Apple engineer. His tragic death in an Autopilot-related accident in 2018 sparked widespread debate about the safety and reliability of automated driving systems.
The case, which was scheduled to be heard this week, instead ended in a confidential settlement, the terms of which are currently hidden from the public.
Juan's Tesla Model X, operating in autopilot mode, collided with a road barrier, resulting in his untimely death. Tesla was willing to argue that Juan was playing a game on his iPhone, which was a significant factor in the accident. The company even wanted Apple to testify.
However, before these arguments were presented in court, both sides reached an agreement, The Verge reported on Monday. Details of the settlement between Tesla and Huang's family remain under wraps following attempts by Tesla's lawyers to hide the amount and terms of the agreement.
A judge has yet to approve the settlement. The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, to further explore the details of the settlement, according to court records. That hearing will take place after the California Department of Transportation, another party involved in the lawsuit, is given the opportunity to challenge the settlement.
The settlement does not close the book on the issues it raises. As automated driving systems become more common, the balance between technological innovation and user responsibility remains a critical issue.
The tragic death of Wei “Walter” Huang is a sad reminder of how high the stakes are. Moving forward, the auto industry, tech companies and regulators must work together to ensure the roads of the future are safe for everyone.
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