Automotive News: A Decade After Learning Of Possible Danger Mazda Issues Recall, Bosch faces diesel scrutiny again, A Guide to Challenges Facing Self-Driving Car Technologists, Robot Cars Can't Count on Us in an Emergency
Almost A Decade After Learning Of Possible Danger, Mazda Issues Recall For Fuel Leak
Mazda is recalling about 103,000 of its RX-8 sports cars in the United States due to either fuel leaks or the possible loss of steering, the automaker has informed federal regulators.
The problem with the fuel leak covers 69,000 2004 – 08 models, according to a report from Mazda posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. read more »
Bosch faces diesel scrutiny again, this time in Mercedes-Benz probe
Prosecutors in Germany are investigating supplier giant Bosch in connection with a government probe into diesels offered by Mercedes-Benz, Reuters reports. The probe seeks to determine whether Bosch played any role in the suspected diesel emissions system fraud and false advertising for U.S. models, as a developer and provider of engine management software and other components.
Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler has been under intense scrutiny by German authorities for the past several weeks, following searches carried out by 23 prosecutors and about 230 police officers at 11 company sites across Germany. The investigation was apparently sparked by EPA questions posed to Daimler that alleged discrepancies in the emissions data for U.S. diesel models, along with an internal probe at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice that has been in progress for over a year.
A Guide to Challenges Facing Self-Driving Car Technologists
In the minds of many in Silicon Valley and in the auto industry, it is inevitable that cars will eventually drive themselves. It is simply a matter of how long it will take for the technology to be reliably safe.
But as indicated by Google’s challenges with the so-called handoff between machines and humans — not to mention Uber’s problems during recent tests on the streets of San Francisco — there is a lot more work to be done before self-driving cars are ready for the mainstream. Here are some of the challenges facing technologists. read more »
Robot Cars Can’t Count on Us in an Emergency
Three years ago, Google’s self-driving car project abruptly shifted from designing a vehicle that would drive autonomously most of the time while occasionally requiring human oversight, to a slow-speed robot without a brake pedal, accelerator or steering wheel. In other words, human driving was no longer permitted.
The company made the decision after giving self-driving cars to Google employees for their work commutes and recording what the passengers did while the autonomous system did the driving. In-car cameras recorded employees climbing into the back seat, climbing out of an open car window, and even smooching while the car was in motion, according to two former Google engineers.
“We saw stuff that made us a little nervous,” Chris Urmson, a roboticist who was then head of the project, said at the time. He later mentioned in a blog post that the company had spotted a number of “silly” actions, including the driver turning around while the car was moving. read more »
VW's U.S. court monitor may triple staff supervising automaker
Volkswagen Group's U.S. court-appointed monitor might triple the number of experts supervising the car manufacturer to 60 staffers as investigations into its diesel-emissions scandal weigh on the company almost two years after the cheating emerged.
The overseer's office will work full-time on reviewing documents and conducting employee interviews to get an overview of VW's sprawling industrial operations and its compliance systems, said Larry Thompson, the monitor. read more »
Harley-Davidson recalling some 2017 models after oil leaks cause crashes
Harley-Davidson is recalling approximately 46,000 motorcycles in the United States because they may spray oil onto the rear tire and cause an accident. read more »
FCA under investigation for failing airbags in 2012 Jeep Liberty
The 2012 Jeep Liberty SUV is under a preliminary U.S. safety investigation for complaints of a failing airbag control computer, which could hinder the airbag from operating properly in an accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed the probe in a document dated June 1 on its website.
About 105,000 vehicles from the 2012 model year are subject to the investigation. read more »
