There Auto Be A Law

We dig more into Tesla "hiding" data from their owners and gently ask Tesla's software engineers to not be sociopaths and end this practice. Is your rental car safe? Is Waymo delusion for trying to move into New York City? Is Ford going to recall all the cars? That and more in this weeks episode.Donate to support the show.https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/08/29/tesla-autopilot-crashes-evidence-testimony-wrongful-death/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/08/31/park-police-car-chases/https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/man-escapes-car-fire-while-214614761.htmlhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherelliott/2025/08/30/why-your-rental-car-might-not-be-as-safe-as-you-think/https://insideevs.com/news/770586/waymo-tesla-robotaxi-wars-ev/https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67ee365c25e6530594bd40c2/683d8d2fa60ac22d542b1049_Securing%20American%20Leadership%20in%20Autonomous%20Vehicles1.pdfhttps://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/hot-car-childrens-deaths-continue-while-washington-does-nothing-082725.htmlhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/driver-raises-concern-spotting-dangerous-140000063.htmlhttps://nypost.com/2025/09/03/us-news/waymo-has-to-confront-aggressive-drivers-and-jaywalkers-in-nyc/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V552-6972.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V546-2755.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V541-7747.pdf

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems require human intervention or drivers in other cars need to better? VW has a ridiculous idea - make people pay a subscription fee to use the full capabilities of their car. Fred exposes ChatGPT has a nonsense machine, Elon Musk spouts more nonsense and we cover the latest in recalls.Donate!https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/08/27/upshot/ev-vs-gas-calculator.htmlhttps://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/08/study-shows-which-vehicles-pollute-the-least-in-every-us-county/https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/08/active-driving-assistance/https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/subaru-owners-see-value-in-driver-attention-systemhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62weyp4qqgohttps://www.msn.com/en-za/cars/general/unfair-competition-worries-about-european-road-safety-after-eu-us-trade-agreement/ar-AA1LbIUihttps://electrek.co/2025/08/19/tesla-loses-bid-to-kill-class-action-over-misleading-customers-on-self-driving-capabilities-for-years/https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/tesla-faces-new-federal-probe-into-delayed-accident-reporting-082225.htmlhttps://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-rejects-uber-ceo-s-call-for-multi-sensor-self-driving-systems-that-s-why-waymos-can-t-drive-on-highways/ar-AA1L9ziOhttps://www.popsci.com/science/what-is-safest-seat-in-car/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V527-9228.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V533-9341.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V536-9882.pdf

Mike Nelson from Nelson Law joins the discussion, tackling the alarming issue of traffic fatalities, which exceed 40,000 annually despite safety advancements. He sheds light on four key contributors: speed, distraction, impairment, and vehicle weight. The conversation dives into the technological challenges of auto safety, data ownership rights, and the intricate legal landscape around emergency braking systems. With compelling insights, Mike urges a reevaluation of societal attitudes toward driving safety, emphasizing collaboration between lawyers and engineers for better solutions.

Zoox gains a regulatory exemption for its unique robotaxis, paving the way for innovative transport solutions. The risks of hacking cars via tire pressure monitors highlight vulnerabilities in vehicle security. Waymo's user agreements raise eyebrows with legal complexities over liability. Meanwhile, Tesla's transparency struggles come into play as regulators seek critical information about its robo-taxis. The discussion also touches on vehicle recalls and the quirky nuances of automotive standards in the U.S. and Canada, all wrapped in humor and industry insights.

A recent court case reveals Tesla's attempts to withhold critical data related to autopilot crashes, raising ethical concerns about safety. The episode dives into hazardous software designs and Elon Musk's bold future claims. It also addresses alarming issues of sexual misconduct in ride-sharing services and the minimal impact of autonomous vehicles on safety. Lastly, hear a sobering comparison of traffic fatalities to historical tragedies, alongside a roundup of troubling car recalls and calls for better accountability in the automotive industry.

The hosts dive into the EPA's controversial move to ease environmental regulations, posing questions about auto safety. They poke fun at Ford's ongoing struggles with quality and explore the dangers looming over cyclist safety in Toronto. The discussion also critiques the complexities of regulating autonomous vehicles, revealing gaps in safety standards. A humorous take on Tesla's latest offerings rounds out the conversation, providing insights into the ever-evolving landscape of urban mobility and automotive legislation.

The podcast dives into troubling allegations against Tesla over misleading self-driving ads and ongoing legal battles in California. Safety concerns unfold as expert testimonies reveal defects in Tesla's autopilot. Waymo faces scrutiny, with celebrity endorsements failing to mask critical safety data issues. The conversation highlights the importance of vehicle recalls, alcohol detection devices, and the industry's need for rigorous testing, paralleling unsettling trends in autonomous vehicle safety with past NASA missteps.

Traffic fatalities have hit a six-year low, but the rise in impaired driving remains a concern. The discussion highlights increasing blind spots in vehicles and critiques the auto industry's safety accountability. There's buzz over the profitability of robo-taxis, with analysts showcasing overly optimistic projections. The need for regulatory oversight in self-driving cars is emphasized, especially following a Tesla trial. Lastly, Ford's record recalls due to safety defects underscore the pressing need for improved automotive standards.

Fred shares entertaining tales from Germany, highlighting the stark difference in automotive culture and public safety. The discussion dives into the NHTSA's challenges amid industry lobbying, raising questions about the safety of autonomous vehicles like Waymo and Tesla. They tackle the dangers of touchscreen distractions in cars and reflect on successful safety initiatives like New York City's congestion pricing. With anecdotes about biking in Germany, the conversation emphasizes the need for stricter regulations to enhance road safety.

Phil Koopman, a Professor at Carnegie Mellon University and expert in autonomous vehicle safety, dives into the complexities of AI in auto safety. He explores crucial areas like safety engineering and human factors, pondering the roles of language models in this space. The chat also covers the nuanced interactions between human operators and autonomous systems, revealing real-life incidents involving Waymo. Plus, Koopman discusses the challenges of effectively modeling human behavior and the ongoing debate about sensor technologies and training methods for safety.