A fully autonomous vehicle should not need the driver to play any part in the "driving" process.
With other equipment operating in a public space - eg: escalator, fruit machine etc - the operator needs to ensure that they adhere to the manufacturers guidelines on servicing and use. In the event of a claim the manufacturer is ultimately liable.
Consumer law tends to simplify things for the consumer so that Joe Public usually has rights against the supplier. But the supplier can then recover, through legal action if necessary, any losses from the manufacturer.
Similar logic can apply to fully autonomous vehicles. If the manual says it is ok to go to sleep, read a book or look backward out the rear window, that's fine. If it says the driver should remain alert to any malfunction and operate the "abort" button if required, then getting bladdered before the journey starts may make you partly liable for an accident.
Fortunately all autonomous cars have copious sensor systems - it will be much esier than currently to understand (a) what actually happened, and (b) who is responsible.
|