Summary
– NHTSA is investigating Tesla Autopilot to determine the effectiveness of recent safeguards
– NHTSA found trends in crashes related to Tesla Autopilot, including those involving frontal plane collisions and roadway departures
– Tesla rolled out an Over-the-Air update as part of a recall to increase driver attentiveness
– NHTSA closed an investigation into Tesla Autopilot from 2021 but has opened a Recall Query to assess the recent remedy
– Tesla Autopilot is still a Level 2 system that requires driver attention and intervention
Article
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided to close an investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system but has opened a Recall Query to determine the effectiveness of safeguards implemented in an Over-the-Air update. The NHTSA reviewed 956 crashes and found that in approximately half of them, factors such as insufficient data, the fault of another vehicle, or the driver not using Autopilot were to blame. The agency identified trends in the remaining crashes, including collisions where an attentive driver could have avoided the crash, as well as instances where Autosteer was disengaged by the driver or in low traction conditions.
After meeting with the NHTSA, Tesla issued a Defect Information Report and rolled out a recall applicable to all its vehicles, along with an Over-the-Air update as part of Recall 23V-838. The update aimed to increase driver attentiveness with features such as prominent visual alerts, simplified engagement and disengagement of Autosteer, additional checks while using the feature, and potential suspension of Autosteer use if the driver does not demonstrate continuous responsibility. However, the NHTSA has now launched a Recall Query, named RQ24009, to assess the effectiveness of the Autopilot remedy implemented by Tesla.
The NHTSA had concerns regarding crashes involving Autopilot during its investigation, including fatalities and serious injuries where driver misuse might have played a role. Post-remedy crash events and preliminary tests of remedied vehicles raised further questions for the agency. Tesla Autopilot is a Level 2 system that requires driver attention and readiness to take over in any situation, as the car is not fully autonomous. The NHTSA wants more information on Tesla’s remedy, particularly in relation to driver opt-in requirements and the ability to reverse the remedy.
Overall, the NHTSA closed an investigation into Tesla Autopilot but opened a Recall Query to evaluate the effectiveness of safeguards implemented through a recent Over-the-Air update and recall. The agency’s analysis of crashes revealed trends such as collisions where an attentive driver could have avoided the crash, instances of Autosteer disengagement by the driver, and road departures in low traction conditions. Tesla’s efforts to increase driver attentiveness through visual alerts, simplified engagement of Autosteer, and other features are being scrutinized by the NHTSA due to concerns about post-remedy crash events and the ability to reverse the remedy. As a Level 2 system, Tesla Autopilot requires driver attention and readiness to assume control in any situation.
Read the full article here
