Autonomous Technology Liability by Industry#
Not all autonomous technology cases are alike. The legal strategies, expert witnesses, and regulatory frameworks vary dramatically depending on the type of system involved. Our industry guides help you understand the specific challenges—and opportunities—in each category.
Browse Industries#
Domestic Robots
- Household cleaning
- cooking
- lawn care
- and companion robots
Medical AI Systems
- Diagnostic AI
- surgical robots
- medication dispensing
- and patient monitoring
Autonomous Vehicles
- Self-driving cars
- autonomous trucks
- and delivery vehicles
Smart Home Appliances
- Connected thermostats
- security systems
- kitchen appliances
- and home automation
Industrial Automation
- Factory robots
- warehouse automation
- and logistics systems
Companion Robots
- Elderly care
- child interaction
- and emotional support robots
Delivery Robots
- Sidewalk delivery bots
- drone deliveries
- and last-mile automation
Security & Surveillance AI
- AI-powered security systems
- facial recognition
- and automated threat response
Understanding Industry-Specific Challenges#
Regulatory Frameworks#
Each industry faces different regulatory oversight:
| Industry | Primary Regulators | Key Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Medical AI | FDA, State Medical Boards | 510(k), De Novo, PMA pathways |
| Autonomous Vehicles | NHTSA, State DMVs | FMVSS, state AV laws |
| Industrial Automation | OSHA, State L&I | RIA standards, lockout/tagout |
| Consumer Robots | CPSC | UL certification, voluntary standards |
| Delivery Robots | Local municipalities | PED laws, sidewalk regulations |
Liability Theories by Industry#
Different industries lend themselves to different legal approaches:
Manufacturing Defect Claims — Most effective for physical robot components that fail unexpectedly
Design Defect Claims — Strong when AI decision-making architecture creates inherent risks
Failure to Warn — Applicable when manufacturers don’t adequately disclose known limitations
Negligent Training — Emerging theory for machine learning systems trained on inadequate data
Post-Sale Duty to Warn — Relevant when manufacturers discover risks after deployment
Industry Trends#
Rising Categories#
The fastest-growing areas of autonomous technology liability:
- Medical AI Diagnosis Errors — Cases up 180% year-over-year as AI diagnostic tools proliferate
- Home Robot Child Injuries — Companion and educational robots designed for children present unique risks
- Autonomous Delivery Collisions — Sidewalk robots and drones creating new categories of pedestrian injury
Emerging Technologies#
Technologies beginning to generate liability claims:
- Agricultural Automation — Autonomous tractors and harvesters
- Construction Robots — Automated bricklaying, concrete, and demolition
- Service Robots — Restaurant, hotel, and retail automation
- Personal Mobility — Self-balancing scooters, autonomous wheelchairs
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