Federal regulators have launched an investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology following a fatal accident in Arizona. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the probe after four recent Tesla crashes, including one that resulted in the death of a pedestrian. The accidents, occurring under conditions of low visibility like sun glare and fog, have raised concerns about the safety of Tesla’s autonomous driving features.
Investigation Details
NHTSA’s investigation covers approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from 2016 through 2024. The fatal accident in question took place in Rimrock, Arizona, on November 27, 2023. According to reports, a Tesla Model Y collided with a pedestrian who was assisting with traffic control after a separate crash. The incident happened as the sun’s glare obscured the driver’s view, leading to the tragic fatality of a 71-year-old woman from Mesa.
Tesla had reported these four crashes under an NHTSA order that requires automakers to notify the agency of accidents involving semi-autonomous systems. In response, NHTSA will scrutinize Tesla’s FSD software to assess how well it can handle reduced visibility conditions. They aim to determine whether any software updates from Tesla have improved or potentially worsened the vehicle’s performance in these scenarios.
Previous Issues With Full Self-Driving
Tesla’s FSD feature has faced criticism and recalls in the past. Earlier this year, the company had to make software updates after it was found that FSD-enabled cars were programmed to roll through stop signs at low speeds and failed to obey other traffic regulations. These issues prompted recalls, highlighting the need for stronger safety protocols.
Despite its name, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature still requires active driver supervision, with the driver expected to remain alert and ready to take control at any time. Tesla has emphasized this point, yet the branding continues to create confusion around the level of autonomy it offers.
Safety and Software Concerns
Tesla’s approach to autonomous driving technology relies heavily on cameras rather than LiDAR sensors, which some industry experts argue are better suited to handle low-visibility conditions. Tesla’s competitors, like Waymo, utilize a combination of LiDAR, radar, and cameras to improve safety and reliability. The current investigation will examine whether the lack of these additional sensors might have contributed to the crashes.
NHTSA will also look into whether there are any other cases of crashes tied to FSD under similar conditions of poor visibility. As part of the review, the agency will request data from Tesla on software updates, assessing their purpose, timing, and overall impact on vehicle safety.
Elon Musk’s Vision and Future of Autonomous Driving
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Tesla continues to push forward with its vision of a fully autonomous future. Recently, CEO Elon Musk announced plans for driverless robotaxis, aiming for the service to launch by 2026. During an October event, he described a future where Tesla owners could “fall asleep and wake up at their destination,” suggesting that the company is progressing toward completely unsupervised autonomous driving.
Musk’s optimism about Tesla’s future autonomy hasn’t swayed regulators, however. NHTSA and other global safety authorities continue to raise concerns about the implications of removing human oversight from these systems, especially given the recent string of crashes.
Market Position and Competition
While Tesla remains a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, the company faces stiff competition in the race for autonomous driving dominance. Other firms like Waymo and Cruise have taken different approaches to the technology, incorporating additional sensors to enhance safety and performance. As Tesla looks to expand its Full Self-Driving technology, the outcome of the current NHTSA investigation could play a significant role in shaping future developments.
