The Road Ahead
In late 2017, our client Keolis, a global provider of transportation services, began taking part in the largest self-driving pilot project in the United States to operate in live traffic. Sponsored by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the project launched an autonomous shuttle in Las Vegas and represents the first self-driving vehicle to be fully integrated into an urban traffic infrastructure.
Uncharted Territory
As a result, 50,000 residents and visitors had firsthand experience with autonomous vehicles (AVs). Taking such a bold step in a developing sector raised many questions and unprecedented legal issues, requiring forward-looking counsel and collaboration among lawyers across different practices.
Regulators Gear Up
The debut of every disruptive technology inevitably draws the attention of courts and regulatory agencies, generating debates and dueling priorities about safety, cybersecurity and data privacy, products liability, intellectual property, insurance and other compliance-related risks. As Keolis entered this cutting-edge space, Akin demonstrated to them how a team of diverse practitioners can pull together to deliver a full fleet of solutions.
Firing on All Cylinders
An innovative spirit is a hallmark of Akin’s AV cross-practice initiative. Akin lawyers in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Houston found concrete ways for Keolis to manage risk.
The team addressed the liabilities and other legal aspects of this uncharted area from a number of angles—roles and responsibilities for safe operation, cybersecurity and privacy issues, and the state and federal regulations regarding AVs. (Nevada has updated its laws and regulations to include AVs, seeking to balance safety with innovation.)
Our lawyers then brought that understanding to bear in assisting Keolis in drafting and negotiating agreements with other parties. These were drafted to reflect that the project was indeed a pilot, and that Keolis was not obligated to provide any guaranteed level of service. The end result was a ride into the future in one of the largest tourist destinations on Earth.