Skip advert
Advertisement

Volvo to accept liability if autonomous car tech fails

Volvo boss makes landmark announcement that his company will accept full liability when car is in autonomous mode

Volvo XC90 - front cornering

Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson has announced that his company will accept full liability if any of its cars crash while in full autonomous driving mode. Samuelsson has already signalled his intent that no individual will be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo by 2020, and this latest announcement paves the way for further development of autonomous driving technology.

Advertisement - Article continues below

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for the legal acceptance of autonomous driving tech is who will take the blame if the tech fails and the car is involved in a crash. Now Volvo has said that it will take full liability, other car makers are expected to follow suit. 

Until now, many legislators around the world have been wary of allowing even testing of autonomous driving tech due to the uncertainty over who would be to blame, and could face prosecution and claims for damages, if the technology failed and the car crashed. Volvo’s landmark announcement is expected to pave the way for some territories to allow testing of fully autonomous vehicles on its streets.

The Google car is on its way 

Samuelsson made his announcement in the US where he was calling for Federal guidelines for autonomous driving.

“The US risks losing its leading position due to the lack of Federal guidelines for the testing and certification of autonomous vehicles,” said Samuelsson. “Europe has suffered to some extent by having a patchwork of rules and regulations. It would be a shame if the US took a similar path to Europe in this crucial area.”  

“The absence of one set of rules means car makers cannot conduct credible tests to develop cars that meet all the different guidelines of all 50 US states. If we are to ensure a smooth transition to autonomous mobility then together we must create the necessary framework that will support this.”

Volvo has become a leader in autonomous technology with the new XC90 and forthcoming S90 benefitting from technology including adaptive cruise control with queue assist, and automatic braking with pedestrian and large animal detection.

Will Volvo's move to accept liability for accidents caused by its self-driving cars remove a big barrier facing the technology? Let us know in the comments...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Gaussian splatting helps Volvo avoid real-life car accidents
Volvo EX90 - front cornering alt

Gaussian splatting helps Volvo avoid real-life car accidents

Oddly named 3D tech creates lifelike virtual scenarios to test driver-assistance systems
News
19 Mar 2025
New Volvo EX60 partly unveiled in clay model form
Volvo EX60 - clay teaser

New Volvo EX60 partly unveiled in clay model form

It’s the first time Volvo has given us a look at its upcoming electric XC60 alternative
News
7 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025