Episode
Arrest that computer driver!?!? With Phil Koopman.
- Podcast
- There Auto Be A Law
- Published
- Mar 26, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4389
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://rss.com/podcasts/autosafety/2661762
Actions
POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/there-auto-be-a-law-5505020/episodes/arrest-that-computer-driver-with-phil-koopman/transcription-requests
Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/there-auto-be-a-law-5505020/arrest-that-computer-driver-with-phil-koopman.md
Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.
Summary
This week we're joined by Phil Koopman. We dig into Waymo’s safety claims, noting outdated or unsupported references, shifting software stacks, and metrics that can look better simply because vehicles crash while empty. Plus we highlight regulatory and liability gray zones, arguing “remote assistance” still makes safety-critical driving decisions while industry language tries to make nobody accountable, and warns proposed laws could label the ADS as the “driver.” Other topics include a complaint alleging unaccompanied minors ride in AVs, a wrong-way AV incident, rosy media takes on UK AVs, Tesla Semi hype and recalls/investigations involving power seats, rear cameras, and Tesla FSD in poor visibility. Support the show! https://avsc.sae-itc.com/publication/avsc-04-2023 https://cagigunion.org/news/2026/03/17/california-gig-workers-union-files-complaint-against-waymo-for-allegedly-violating-california-permit-by-transporting-unaccompanied-minors/ https://philkoopman.substack.com/p/why-robotaxis-have-an-inherent-3x https://www.kgw.com/article/news/national/watch-driverless-waymo-car-caught-going-wrong-way/507-00a51f30-e0ed-458e-b8d5-85c6dbbce19b https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/utah-lawmakers-approve-legal-framework-120225763.html https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/19/my-ride-in-a-self-driving-taxi-london https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/21/autonomous-vehicles-dc-waymo-ddot/ https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/truckers-tesla-fans-semi-b0a66e6e https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/03/after-hack-some-ignition-interlock-users-couldnt-start-their-own-cars/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V160-3144.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V173-8909.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V165-2897.pdf