Tony Lathrop’s Post

𝐆𝐌'𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭, 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡🚗 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has fined General Motors' self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, $1.5 million for not fully disclosing details of a serious pedestrian accident in October 2023. Cruise now faces ongoing investigations from the Justice Department and the SEC, along with stricter compliance requirements for at least two years. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: o Cruise's failure to provide full details violated NHTSA's reporting standards, a reminder of the legal obligations autonomous vehicle companies face when serious incidents occur. o Cruise is still under scrutiny by NHTSA, the Department of Justice, and the SEC, highlighting the critical intersection of technology, public safety, and regulation. o Cruise must submit a compliance plan to NHTSA, demonstrating its commitment to improving transparency and adherence to safety protocols. o The incident, involving one of Cruise's robotaxis in San Francisco, raised significant concerns as reports were found to be incomplete. Cruise now faces ongoing investigations from the Justice Department and the SEC, along with stricter compliance requirements for at least two years. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 : o Incomplete reporting can lead to significant fines and damage to reputation, with further legal implications if negligence or misconduct is proven. o As technology evolves, regulatory bodies will continue to prioritize pedestrian and public safety, ensuring that companies like Cruise balance innovation with stringent legal and ethical responsibilities. o This sends a message to other companies in the autonomous vehicle space about the importance of compliance, transparency, and the necessity of full disclosure in accident investigations. o General Motors has already scaled back its self-driving investments, reflecting how legal missteps can have broader business impacts, including the suspension of its self-driving Origin vehicle. o This incident may influence tighter regulation in the autonomous vehicle industry, with increased focus on reporting standards and vehicle safety. #LegalUpdate #AutonomousVehicles #Regulation #GM #Cruise #NHTSA #TechCompliance https://lnkd.in/dCWD_KzU Disclaimer: The Content in this post is for informational purposes only derived from references and does not constitute any professional advice. We do not claim ownership of any data or Information referenced.

Exciting news: Cruise has cleared a major hurdle to bring robotaxis back to California's roads! 🔹 🚗 The California Public Utilities Commission has given the green light for Cruise to expand its autonomous taxi service. 🔹 🕒 Cruise's robotaxis can now operate any time of day across San Francisco without safety drivers onboard. 🔹 🌧️ Operations will be limited during inclement weather, ensuring safety. 🔹 👮♂️ Ongoing evaluations by the CPUC and DMV will monitor progress and address first responder concerns. #robotaxis #autonomousvehicles #innovation Additional Details: - 🚦 Vehicles are permitted to operate at speeds up to 35 mph. - 🚔 Safety and communication with first responders remain key areas of focus. - 🌍 This move is part of a broader trend towards autonomous mobility solutions in urban areas. Cruise clears key hurdle to getting robotaxis back on roads in California https://lnkd.in/gybYYPhg

With the rapid and growing uptake of autonomous vehicles across land, air, and sea domains comes a host of complex legal challenges, especially when they malfunction or operate beyond their intended design parameters, leading to loss or damage. Together with my colleagues, Anna Young, Alexander Dorrington and Chriselle Alfred from both our defence and digital/technology teams, we discuss the critical legal considerations that defence industry professionals need to understand, from the intricacies of testing protocols to the liability implications of autonomous vehicle failures. Click the article below to understand how these developments impact operational accountability and legal frameworks. #AutonomousVessels #TechnologyInnovation #AMV #AUKUS #AutonomousVehicles

With the rapid and growing uptake of autonomous vehicles across land, air, and sea domains comes a host of complex legal challenges, especially when they malfunction or operate beyond their intended design parameters, leading to loss or damage. Brett Cowell, Anna Young, Alexander Dorrington and Chriselle Alfred from both our defence and digital/technology teams, discuss the critical legal considerations that defence industry professionals need to understand, from the intricacies of testing protocols to the liability implications of autonomous vehicle failures. Click the article below to understand how these developments impact operational accountability and legal frameworks. #AutonomousVessels #TechnologyInnovation #AMV #AUKUS #AutonomousVehicles

Are self-driving cars doomed in the US? This fine levied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA against Cruise may seem steep, but it pales in comparison to what this company and other autonomous vehicle developers face from civil lawsuits in future crashes. That’s because plaintiff attorneys may now be able to point to this incident and resultant fine as evidence that such tech is inherently dangerous. Under US law, civil lawsuits do not have to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, as in the case of criminal cases. This creates an opportunity for very large lawsuits to be successful or settled for a tremendous sum. If self-driving car development ultimately goes the way of that for flying cars, which are often promised but never delivered in a practical form, what does this mean for US streets? Traffic levels remain terrible, both in terms of congestion and as a public health threat, in major cities. Transit investment is becoming unsustainably expensive. Bikes (including e-bikes) and other micromobility can offer an alternative, but not without space carved out from that which is dedicated to other modes—something that is politically difficult. #selfdrivingcars #tech #bikes #micromobility #cities #law Possible paywall👉https://lnkd.in/eYFRSey9 MSN link👉https://lnkd.in/erTwwYGE

Cruise lays off 900 employees Self-driving car company Cruise finds itself navigating perilous terrain amid troubles that threaten its very existence. Once seemingly poised to lead the autonomous vehicle revolution, Cruise now confronts cascading crises - both internal and external - that have brought its ambitious vision to a shuddering halt. The most immediate crisis is Cruise's suspension of all operations, nationwide, after California's DMV revoked the company's testing and deployment permits last month. Regulators slapped Cruise’s wrist for allegedly misrepresenting safety incidents and operating robotaxis that posed an “imminent risk to public safety.” While disputes surround the DMV’s specific claims, the episode crystallized growing alarm over Cruise’s safety record after a spate of high-profile incidents in recent months. Cruise also faces leadership turmoil at this critical juncture. Visionary co-founder and CEO Kyle Vogt resigned abruptly in late November alongside Chief Product Officer Dan Kan. Their exits capped months of behind-the-scenes tensions over Cruise’s direction amid its safety troubles. While respected technologist Mo Elshenawy has taken over the helm, his background is more nuts-and-bolts engineering rather than the bold futurist vision that animated Cruise’s culture under Vogt. Most challenging of all, Cruise must now rebuild trust with regulators, partners, investors, employees, and customers. Its autonomous vehicle aspirations hinge on satisfying skeptical stakeholders that Cruise vehicles are safe enough for public roadways. technical prowess alone cannot surmount such existential threats. Cruise therefore confronts complex intertwined crises - technical, cultural, regulatory, and reputational - that threaten its survival. Its response demands a nuanced, systematic strategy that balances short-term moves restoring legitimacy with a long-term roadmap fulfilling Cruise’s grand ambitions. Bold visions now require humble execution. First, satisfy regulators. Cruise must convince authorities, especially California's formidable DMV, that it takes safety seriously and vehicles meet rigorous standards before resuming operations. Detailed incident reviews, beefed-up protocols, personnel moves, and transparency initiatives can help rebuild regulatory trust. But progress requires genuine soul-searching on systemic safety shortcomings. Second, get culture right. As Cruise veterans exit, new leadership must nurture urgency alongside realism, confidence alongside humility, vision alongside wisdom. Safety can never be compromised, but timidity cannot substitute for principled risk-taking. Cruise needs honest reckoning on what went wrong paired with inspirational leadership charting a new path.

How long before yachts no longer need qualified deck crew? 2025 will see the introduction of a legal framework for autonomous vehicles in the UK. The Automated Vehicles Bill is expected to become law later this year. It will clarify liabilities in the event of an accident. This, in turn, will enable #insurance underwriters to consider the risks and provide cover. Crucially, automated passenger services will be permitted. The Bill introduces the Authorised Self-Driving Entity – being the organisation assuming responsibility for how a vehicle behaves when self-driving. This could be the manufacturer or software developer, for example. They’ll need an operator’s licence, which will be taken away if the vehicle fails to drive safely and legally. While the technology is maturing, and a driver may still be required, he or she will be the User-In-Charge when the vehicle is self-driving, and immune from road traffic offences – but will need to be in a position to retake control if need be. Of course, the wheels of international maritime regulation move slowly, but could we (or should we) be in a position where vessels’ masters are no longer needed?

Interesting view Benjamin. What if we looked at this as an opportunity to enhance safe navigation and protection of the environment as opposed to entering uncharted autonomous waters. The introduction of AI could provide a dual watchkeeping system on ships presently operating a single OOW. This would align BRM across the maritime industry allowing closed loop communication and decision verification. We must use technological developments such as AI / AR to enhance safety of navigation and move away from an industry focused on a race to the bottom promoting minimum standards possible to meet regulatory compliance.

The adoption rates of ADAS continue to grow, bringing exciting and potentially life-saving features to our roads. Todays trucks are equipped with technology that can: Warn drivers about blind spots Alert when a lane departure occurs Rapidly decelerate to a full stop from speeds up to 50 mph These advancements are a far cry from the days when cruise control was considered cutting-edge! Check out this insightful article on the latest in ADAS technology and its impact on road safety: #ADAS #vehiclecalibration #OpusIVS #autocollision

All these vehicle autonomous driving systems work in very similar way: they collect data using radars and cameras, pass data into software algorithms which guess out what subjects are on road and around, make decisions on next move, and then control vehicle systems to act on the decisions. There are many possible failing components, but two components may cause main failures: 1, data collected through radars and cameras may be faulty - these systems are not as accurate and efficient as human eyes and ears in many cases; 2, software used to make guess could make silly guess - the software cannot think or reason, it can only guess, so way dumber than human brain. https://lnkd.in/gtkUsuat.