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I would argue self-driving car software is different. If license terms permit modification, and a modified version is running in a car that causes damage, then
by zekevermillion 10y ago
I would argue self-driving car software is different. If license terms permit modification, and a modified version is running in a car that causes damage, then there will be an argument as to whether the modifications caused the wreck, or whether it was the underlying software and thus the manufacturer who is responsible. Tesla, quite rationally, would not want to give users a permissive license, given this obvious liability problem. Even if, nod nod wink wink, they might approve of owners playing around with it.
- mtgx 10y agoHow about using the same tactic many smartphone makers use: "We're allowing you to unlock your bootloader, but if you do, you're voiding your warranty." Similarly car makers could say as soon as the user unlocks the car's systems for modification, the company is no longer responsible for any accident that might happen. It seems like a rather good compromise to me.
- sneak 10y agoThe car company is already not responsible for any accident that might happen. The operator of the vehicle is responsible for safe operation, period.
- jacalata 10y agoYea, that's why nobody blamed Toyota for any crashes caused by faulty brakes and they didn't have to spend millions recalling all those cars at all.
- dhimes 10y agoNo, car companies are sued when defective equipment causes an accident. They would have to take measures to ensure that consumer-modified equipment that causes an accident is not blamed on them.
- sneak 10y agoDefective equipment is not the issue here.
- mveety 10y agoExcept for failures not caused by poor maintenance or poor/reckless driving. Like if your rear diff falls out because the bolts weren't done up at the factory, etc.
- zekevermillion 10y agoI'm sure user modification of functional systems would void the warranty. That is a separate issue from third-party liability, though, because the third-party victims are not party to the warranty.
- EdSharkey 10y agoI'm sure we all could come up with compelling arguments for both sides of this debate. "It is the socially responsible thing for Tesla to make guarantees about their car software performance and prevent tampering in order to keep our streets safe." and "It's my product, I own the car; I have the right to tinker with all of it." I observe that we constantly have this same debate: can we be responsible and take care of ourselves or do we need some ruling class to take care of us and micromanage our decisions for us? Or philosophically, can mankind be perfected through laws? Half-measures and exceptions in the self-determination debate always strike me as lacking wisdom. Culturally, we should be strongly predisposed one way or the other.