Munich Re America has partnered with a robotics company to research autonomous vehicles (AVs), with the aim of understanding their risks and how to cover them.

The reinsurer and Comet, a developer of ground-mobile robotics, will study data and market development opportunities.

Insurance issues around AVs include the risk shifting from a driver to product liability of the manufacturer or systems provider.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says cars with automated safety controls are already on the road, and it expects the number of AVs to increase as features are added to current vehicles and new ones are sold with fully integrated systems.

Munich Re Senior VP Strategic Innovation Leader Mike Scrudato says the transition will add complexity to law enforcement, liability and underwriting.

Other issues include cyber security to protect communications systems within and between vehicles.