Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” autopilot system is intended to play a pioneering role on the way to autonomous driving. After various accidents, the driver assistant is now under observation by the US traffic authority NHTSA for the second time.
After eleven different rear-end collisions in connection with Tesla’s “Autopilot” driver assistance system, the US traffic authority NHTSA steps in and puts the driver assistant under surveillance again. The agency pointed to several incidents between January 2018 and July 2021 in which Tesla’s electric cars ran into emergency vehicles parked on the roadside on Monday. According to the NHTSA, there were 17 injuries and one death.
Tesla points out to customers themselves that “autopilot” is only an assistance system and that the person in the driver’s seat must therefore keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times. He should also always be ready to take control. Nevertheless, it happens again and again that drivers rely completely on the “autopilot” system. Tesla tightened safety measures a few years ago: the software detects when the driver is not hands on the wheel and emits warning tones after a short time.
Tesla autopilot has been criticized for years
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) had already examined the “autopilot” system after a fatal accident in 2016. Back in the day, a driver died after his Tesla crashed under the trailer of an articulated lorry that had crossed the street. The NHTSA concluded that the system was functioning correctly within its capabilities, but that the person behind the wheel relied too much on it. The “autopilot” system had not recognized the trailer with its white side front and had not initiated any braking. The driver hadn’t responded either.
The NHTSA pointed out that in all rear-end collisions, the fire and ambulance vehicles were clearly recognizable thanks to the flashing lights being switched on, among other things. The “autopilot” system was switched on in all affected Tesla vehicles.
“Full Self-Driving” causes a stir
Tesla’s precautions against misuse of the “autopilot” system have long been criticized. Videos are circulating on the Internet that show how drivers leave their seats in traffic. Therefore, among other things, it is required that Tesla use the camera in the interior to monitor the driver’s attention.
Critics also find that the name “autopilot” is an exaggeration that invites negligent use. Tesla even calls the next stage of the program “Full Self-Driving”, although according to the criteria common in the industry it remains just an assistance system.
You can see in the video: luck in misfortune: In Taiwan, a Tesla driver drove unrestrained into a crashed truck. He was unharmed. Has the autopilot really failed as the driver claims?
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