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Tesla to settle over fatal Autopilot crash

9 April 2024
Mariko Oi,
Business reporter

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Getty Images A driver rides hands-free in a Tesla's Model S vehicle equipped with
Autopilot hardware and software in New York.Getty Images
Tesla has promised to produce an autonomous car but has yet to launch one
Electric car giant Tesla has agreed to settle a lawsuit over a crash in 2018 which
killed Apple engineer Walter Huang after his Model X, operating on Autopilot,
collided with a highway barrier.

The case, brought by Mr Huang's family, was scheduled to begin in the California
Superior Court this week.

If the trial had gone ahead, it would have brought increased scrutiny of the firm's
Autopilot and Full Self-Driving technology.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed and reports have said the deal still
needs to be approved by a judge. Tesla did not immediately respond to a BBC request
for comment.

Before the settlement, Tesla argued that Mr Huang had misused the system because he
was playing a video game just before the accident.

The firm has previously won trials in California by arguing that drivers involved
had not followed its instructions to maintain attention while using the system.

The electric vehicle (EV) maker faces a series of lawsuits over crashes related to
the alleged use of its driver-assistant technology.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also been investigating
some accidents involving Autopilot.

For many years, Tesla has promised to produce an autonomous car but has yet to
launch one.

On Friday, Mr Musk said the company plans to unveil a self-driving robotaxi in

August.

The settlement with Mr Huang's family comes at a time when the company is battling
weakening sales.

Deliveries slid sharply in the first three months of this year as Tesla grappled
with a fire at its European factory, global shipping disruption and growing
competition.

Tesla has cut prices repeatedly in response to increased competition from rivals
such as BYD but demand in key markets like China has fallen.

Tesla's shares have lost almost a third of their value since the start of this
year.

Elon Musk
Tesla
Driverless cars
Electric cars
Road safety
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