http://money.cnn.com/2015/12/10/news/companies/gm-recall-ign...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_ignition_switch...
the issue we face now is, who is leading and or taking charge of this space, how are they actually doing it, and which solution is the best.
with more players we might get lucky to see Level5 within a decade or two. AV is perceived by many in the same category as any safety equipment, be that as simple as a seat belt, or an airbag, or complex like ABS and traction control. As such it has to meet a much higher standard.
GM has recently shown they can move in any direction they want and very quickly. The managed to launch a relatively affordable 200 mile range EV in short order with no availability issues other than an on purpose staggered release.
why would any of the existing automakers cede any innovative technologies and why would we not celebrate all of them trying
Grandparent, to child, riding in an automated vehicle, "Can you believe, once upon a time people steered these?"
"What? How did that work? Was that safe?"
"Oh, no, 30,000 people died every year!"
Edit: I take back the Vega. While that was an awful car, I was actually thinking of the Ford Pinto.
Turns out a lot of cars from that era had the same problem, and in general subcompact cars of the time were rather dangerous.
The famous cost benefit analysis memo was also misquoted, and taken out of context.
Economy sub-compact cars always have, and always will, meet exactly the minimum safety requirements put forth by the government. That is the entire point of an economy car, to make the cheapest car legally possible.
Want safety without regard for price? Drive a Volvo.