Driverless Cars + Insurance???

[Monty Python]

What concerns me more is, knowing how vulnerable current operating systems are, how easy it would be to hack them and take over control of the car.

[Captain Muppet]

Monty Python said:

What concerns me more is, knowing how vulnerable current operating systems are, how easy it would be to hack them and take over control of the car.

Just like with autopilots on planes. Hacked all the time.

[otolith]

I think people wrongly assume that these systems will be engineered to the same standards of reliability and security as non-safety critical domestic appliances.

[Devil2575]

Monty Python said:

Devil2575 said:

Is it still the manufacturers fault?

Cars are currently filled with plenty of sealed non servicable parts that if they fail the manufacturer takes no responsibility for unless it's within the warranty period, the ECU for example.

But the ECU isn't driving the car - you are.

The question comes down to what causes the accident. If you're simply a passenger in the vehicle, then if something goes wrong over which you have no control then you cannot be held liable.

There may still be aspects that you do have control over. For example, failure to keep the car clean could result in it not operating correctly which could result in an accident. the owner could then be held liable.

However I think that the issue of third party insurance is going to be small, as the number of accidents will likely fall dramatically. Third party insurance, who ever covers it, will not be a signifcant cost.