Multiple Automakers Rush to Launch "Hands-Off, Eyes-Off" Self-Driving Tech Amid Safety and Liability Concerns

Multiple automakers are accelerating the development of advanced autonomous driving systems that allow drivers to take their eyes off the road. Under these systems, users could send text messages or use laptops while the system is active, only needing to resume control when the vehicle issues a takeover request. This technology is seen as a critical milestone toward fully driverless vehicles, yet it has sparked widespread debate over associated safety risks and liability in the event of accidents. Industry experts warn that deploying such features prematurely—before regulations and infrastructure are adequately established—could pose significant safety hazards.