Episode 267 | Navigating L3, L4 Licensing, and Robotaxi Insurance Challenges

Pete Bigelow, Senior Reporter, Automotive News and Sergey Litvinenko, Co-Founder & CEO of Koop joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the insurance challenges surrounding SAE Level 3 vehicles and how the insurance requirements will change with higher levels of automation. 

In this in-depth discussion, Grayson, Pete and Sergey explore the complex landscape of Level 3 semi-autonomous vehicles and their associated liability challenges. The conversation delves into why major automakers such as GM and Ford have retreated from developing full self-driving systems to instead focus on driver assistance systems. In the long-term, this could prove to be a costly mistake.

During the discussion they also spoke about the emerging complexities of insuring robotaxis in Las Vegas and how the “Vegas risk” could impact underwriting. 

Recorded on Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Episode Chapters

0:00 Scaling Level 3

6:10 Not All Level 3 Systems are Equal

8:43 Underwriting Level 3

12:45 In-Cabin Monitoring / Driver Responsibility

15:33 Who’s Responsible in the Event of a Crash?

17:11 Can Consumers Tell a Level 2 system from a Level 3 system?

22:08 Why Would an OEM Invest in Level 3?

26:55 Level 4 Licensing Liability

30:09 Foldable Wheel

33:30 Open Container in Robotaxis

41:10 Robotaxi Liability

44:33 National Autonomous Vehicle Framework

47:44 Autonomy Market Outlook

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