Tesla’s “Autopilot” authority targets software

The advanced version of Tesla’s “Autopilot” assistance system, which can also be used in city traffic, is being put to the test by the US road traffic authority. The supervisors point to four accidents involving Tesla’s electric cars. In one of these, a pedestrian was killed.

In the four accidents, visibility was limited, for example due to fog, dust or blinding sunlight. The experts at NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) are now investigating whether the system recognized the poor visibility and responded appropriately. Around 2.4 million vehicles are affected by the investigation.

Tesla theoretically “completely self-driving” – but only with supervision

Tesla gave this advanced version of the “Autopilot” system the name “Full Self-Driving”. Among other things, it should observe traffic lights and right-of-way rules. However, the car manufacturer itself points out that the people behind the wheel remain responsible and must be ready to take control at any time. Tesla is now talking about a “supervised” version of the FSD system.

However, company boss Elon Musk recently announced that Tesla wanted to bring software onto the roads in Texas and California next year that could drive without human supervision.

US drivers have been able to use FSD for several years, initially in a test version. Drivers also recently reported that the software ignored red light signals or turned into the wrong lane. For Europe, Musk promised an introduction of the FSD software next year.

Setback for Musk’s robotaxi plans?

Musk recently presented a self-driving robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals and announced that Tesla wanted to build the vehicles from 2026. Many experts are skeptical because Musk wants to implement autonomous driving only with cameras, without more expensive sensor technology such as laser radars, which active robotaxi providers such as Waymo already use. Waymo, a sister company of Google, already makes more than 100,000 passenger trips weekly without a human behind the wheel in four US cities.

Musk actively supports former Republican President Donald Trump, who wants to return to the White House in the November election. Trump had promised to entrust Musk with controlling government spending. US authorities are also conducting other investigations into the “autopilot” system.