Status: 06/10/2022 10:57 a.m
The US transportation authority is keeping an even closer eye on the electric car manufacturer Tesla. A long-running investigation into the company’s so-called “autopilot” is now being expanded.
The US traffic authority National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expanded its investigation of the driving assistance system “Autopilot” used by Tesla to a so-called technical analysis after a series of rear-end collisions. Such a step is necessary in order to be able to order an official recall if necessary.
According to the NHTSA, the current “autopilot” investigation involves around 830,000 vehicles of all four current model series S, 3, X and Y from the years 2014 to 2022. Around 765,000 vehicles were affected in the investigation that has been ongoing so far. For comparison: By the end of the first quarter, the group had sold a good 2.6 million vehicles worldwide since it was founded, so almost a third of all cars produced by Tesla to date are affected. However, the vehicles are sold in dozens of countries, so far nothing is known about such extensive investigations outside of the USA. Accordingly, the proportion of affected Tesla vehicles in the USA is estimated to be significantly higher.
Since the investigation began in August last year, the agency has identified six other incidents in which Tesla cars with the “Autopilot” system turned on crashed into parked fire and ambulance vehicles with their blue lights on. Originally, there were eleven such accidents. The most recent crash happened in January.
Inadequate monitoring of the driver?
The investigations are now to be expanded, among other things, with the evaluation of additional data, as the NHTSA announced. It also examines a good 100 “autopilot” accidents in which no emergency vehicles were involved. It should also be examined to what extent the system of the electric car manufacturer increases the risk of human error.
Tesla itself points out to customers that “Autopilot” is only an assistance system and therefore the person in the driver’s seat must keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times. He should always be ready to take control. Nevertheless, it happens again and again that drivers rely completely on the “autopilot” system. Tesla tightened its safety measures a few years ago: the software detects when the driver’s hands are not on the wheel and emits warning tones after a short time.
Since February, the NHTSA has also been investigating Tesla for reports of sudden braking. The trigger was 354 complaints within nine months because the “autopilot” system suddenly and unexpectedly activated the brakes. The authority also requested information from other car manufacturers about their assistance systems.
In Germany, too, the autopilot system is causing harsh criticism from experts. This is how the ADAC judged in November last year: “The quality of the regulations left a lot to be desired in the test. The fact that the system does not recognize any traffic signs and also overlooks obstacles shows the immaturity of the technology. And that the car also has the autopilot mode in allowed by the city, although according to the handbook he can only do his job on motorways and motor roads, is irresponsible.”