NHTSA Closes Investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot, Opens New Probe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has concluded a long-standing investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot driver assistance system, which examined hundreds of crashes, including 13 fatalities and numerous serious injuries resulting from its misuse.
New Investigation on Autopilot Recall Fix Effectiveness
Simultaneously, NHTSA has launched a new investigation to assess the effectiveness of Tesla’s Autopilot recall fix implemented in December.
Critical Safety Gap Identified
According to documents released by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, the probe revealed evidence indicating that Tesla’s inadequate driver engagement system did not align with Autopilot’s permissive operating capabilities. This mismatch created a significant safety gap, leading to foreseeable misuse and avoidable crashes.
End of Initial Probe, Ongoing Scrutiny
The closure of the initial probe, initiated in 2021, marks the conclusion of a high-profile government effort to examine Tesla’s Autopilot software. However, Tesla remains under scrutiny from various other inquiries.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Legal Challenges
The Department of Justice is investigating Tesla’s claims about its technology, while the California Department of Motor Vehicles has accused the company of false advertising regarding Autopilot and Full Self-Driving beta software. Tesla is also facing multiple lawsuits related to Autopilot.
NHTSA’s Findings
NHTSA’s investigation reviewed 956 reported crashes until August 30, 2023. Of these, approximately half were deemed inconclusive or unrelated to the probe. The remaining crashes were categorized based on specific circumstances, including frontal plane collisions, roadway departures in low traction conditions, and disengagement of Autosteer by the driver.
Concerns Over Driver Monitoring
Despite Tesla’s warnings for drivers to remain attentive and keep hands on the wheel while using Autopilot, NHTSA and other safety groups have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these measures. In December, NHTSA deemed Tesla’s measures “insufficient to prevent misuse.”
Recall Fix Challenges
Tesla agreed to a recall via a software update to enhance driver monitoring, but NHTSA suggests the update did not significantly alter Autopilot’s functionality. Parts of the recall fix are opt-in, and some safeguards can be easily reversed by the driver.
Data Limitations
NHTSA criticized gaps in Tesla’s telematic data, which create uncertainty about the actual crash rate involving Autopilot. Tesla’s data collection methods reportedly cover only a fraction of reported crashes, raising concerns about data accuracy and completeness.
Conclusion of Investigation
After nearly three years of investigation, NHTSA’s probe into Autopilot’s safety implications sheds light on critical safety gaps and challenges in data collection methods employed by Tesla.
