Mercedes has jumped on the bandwagon of vehicles with driverless features. Many of their cars are equipped with Drive Pilot, the company’s advanced driver assistance system. While the service may be similar to what others are offering, the famed German automaker is taking a unique, if not unprecedented, step further to help them stand out from competitors.
Drivers who use advanced driver assistance will not be legally liable while the car is in operation. Any accidents that occur will be the responsibility of Mercedes. The decision seems to get ahead of any future problems and likely reflects the continuing controversy surrounding the “cutting-edge technology.”
States leading the way
Nevada will be one of the first states to purchase vehicles, with other states likely to come on board soon after. Nevada, in particular, has been selected as the autonomous technology leader. The state is more able to deploy Drive Pilot in multiple jurisdictions. Accepting liability involving their advanced driver assistance systems will garner the interest of consumers and support from legislators to approve the technology in the state.
Mercedes and other carmakers are trying to learn the lesson from Tesla’s rollout of driver assistance systems. The company courted controversy resulting in criticism for misleading names where drivers assume that the technology can do more than it can actually do. Elon Musk’s vehicle empire also faces accusations of deceit in dealing with regulators, not to mention allegations of testing vehicles on public roads without securing regulatory approval.
Driving assistance technology is still in its early years. Consumers interested in the vehicles must strike a balance between innovation and safety.
