A fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S is being scrutinized in court to determine responsibility between the driver and the car's Autopilot system. The driver, George McGee, allegedly ignored a stop sign, leading to the collision with a parked SUV, which resulted in one death and injuries. Tesla asserts its technology was functioning properly, pointing out that an audible alert generated by the car 1.65 seconds before impact could have allowed avoidance of the crash. The outcome of the trial is crucial for Tesla's future autonomous vehicle initiatives.
Data recovered from the car's computer shows that driver George McGee was pressing the accelerator to 17 miles over the posted speed limit, leading him to override the vehicle's adaptive cruise control.
Tesla is seeking to show a jury that the company's technology performed as it should and that the driver is fully to blame for running through a stop sign at a T intersection.
The company's lawyer pressed a key witness to agree that an audible alert 1.65 seconds before impact would have been enough time for the driver to avoid or at least mitigate the accident.
A verdict against Tesla would be a blow at a time when the company is staking its future on self-driving and pushing to launch a long-promised robotaxi business.
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