Autonomous driving feature of Tesla proves lethal.
In the realm of autonomous driving, Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems have been making headlines for both their technological advancements and safety concerns.
Since 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has documented over 2,700 crashes where systems for partial automation were active within 30 seconds of the crash. Out of these incidents, 40 involved Tesla vehicles, a fact that has caught the attention of regulatory bodies.
The NHTSA has initiated several investigations, including those involving Tesla. Notably, a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged ran a red light and collided with a Honda Civic, resulting in the deaths of two people. A settlement was reached, and the driver's case is proceeding separately. Another incident saw a Tesla Model 3 with active Autopilot involved in a crash that caused a car to overturn, resulting in a 15-year-old's death. Tesla settled out of court in this case as well.
Tesla emphasizes that Autopilot and FSD are assistance systems, not autonomous driving functions. The company clearly assigns responsibility to users in its terms of use. However, some Tesla drivers on social media claim that the company's technology has been capable of full autonomy for years, blaming regulatory approval as the barrier.
Investors are closely watching how courts and regulatory bodies evaluate the current technology. A jury awarded a $243 million penalty and damages in a case involving a Tesla Model S with activated Autopilot that crashed into a stationary vehicle in August 2024. Tesla is appealing the Florida ruling with a new legal team.
The numbers of crashes involving Tesla's Autopilot are a concern, with the NHTSA recording a total of 45 fatal crashes by October 15, 2024, where driver assistance systems, including Tesla's Autopilot, were active. Critics argue that Autopilot can be activated in situations for which it was not designed, leading to misunderstandings and false expectations.
Despite these concerns, Tesla remains committed to autonomous driving. Autonomous driving is a central future theme for the company, including plans for robotaxi services. Roughly 80% of the company's value is expected to come from the Optimus robot, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
However, the future of Tesla's Autopilot is not without controversy. Some U.S. Tesla owners have filed a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer, alleging false promises about autonomous driving capabilities. The amounts and conditions of the settlements are confidential.
In Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a traffic light pole, with the driver reporting that the autonomous driving assistance systems were active. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in the development and implementation of autonomous driving technology.
As the technology evolves, it is crucial for manufacturers to ensure the safety of their users while also delivering on the promise of autonomous driving. The NHTSA notes that the numbers are not directly comparable between manufacturers due to differences in data collection and transmission, emphasizing the need for standardised safety measures across the industry.
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