Summary
- Tesla working to deploy FSD system outside of North America, facing regulatory holdups in the UK and elsewhere
- UK proposed rules paring back allowances for autonomous driving systems, requiring drivers to keep hands on the steering wheel
- Concerns raised about impact on driver behavior, situational awareness, and safety amidst deployment of FSD Supervised
- Tesla launched early FSD features in China and Mexico, facing tough regulatory barriers in Europe due to UN Regulation 171
- Elon Musk highlighted European regulations as a major barrier and mentioned upcoming EU committee session in May for approval of FSD
Article
Tesla has been working on deploying its Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system outside of North America, with initial waves going out in China and Mexico. However, regulatory hurdles in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe are proving to be challenging. The UK’s Department for Transport has proposed rules that restrict allowances for autonomous driving systems like Tesla’s FSD, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and limiting certain maneuvers. These changes come after concerns were raised about the impact of automated driving systems on driver behavior and overall safety.
The UK officials have suggested that systems like Tesla’s FSD should be rolled out in phases to address safety concerns and evaluate the impact on driver behavior and situational awareness. These restrictions follow concerns raised in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe about the broader approval of automated driving technology. Despite facing regulatory barriers in markets across Europe and the UK, Tesla recently launched early FSD-related features in China and Mexico. Tesla’s former Global Vehicle Automation and Safety Policy Lead, Marc Van Impe, warned of major barriers in Europe due to UN Regulation 171, potentially delaying the deployment of FSD until 2028.
In response to regulatory challenges, Tesla has launched an introductory version of Actually Smart Summon in Europe and the Middle East, following the delay in FSD deployment in Europe. CEO Elon Musk highlighted European regulations as a major barrier to getting FSD approved during Tesla’s Q4 2024 earnings call. He mentioned an upcoming EU committee session in May, which is expected to approve the software. Despite these challenges, Tesla employees continue to perform autonomous FSD trials as the company works towards overcoming regulatory hurdles and expanding the roll-out of its FSD system globally.
The delays in deploying Tesla’s FSD system in Europe highlight the difficulties faced by companies trying to introduce autonomous driving technology in different regions. The concerns about the impact of automated driving systems on driver behavior and safety underscore the need for thorough evaluation and phased roll-outs to address potential risks. The regulatory barriers in the UK and Europe point to the challenges of navigating different legal frameworks and approval processes in various markets. Despite the obstacles, Tesla remains committed to expanding the availability of its FSD system and continues to work towards overcoming regulatory hurdles to deploy the technology in key markets around the world.
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