Tesla's Autopilot Attracts Regulatory Ire, Again: Report

Author: Anusuya Lahiri | August 19, 2022 07:51am

• U.S. auto safety regulators questioned Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) over its in-car camera to monitor driver awareness, Reuters reports.
• The interrogation was a part of a probe into 830,000 Tesla vehicles that employ the carmaker's advanced driver assistance system called Autopilot.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluated the Autopilot after identifying several accidents in which Tesla vehicles struck stopped emergency vehicles.
• The NHTSA upgraded its probe to an engineering analysis in June, which could lead to a recall.
• NHTSA sought information on the cabin camera's "impact on driver engagement alert types and timing" and "recoverable data elements pointing to its influence."
• NHTSA said in June that evidence suggested drivers in most crashes under review had complied with Tesla's alert strategy, questioning its effectiveness.
• In 2021, Consumer Reports found it inadequate to ensure that the driver fully paid attention when using Autopilot and Full Self Driving (FSD) features. 
• In June, Consumer Reports said Tesla had installed an over-the-air update that issued a warning when the camera is covered while FSD is engaged, but not with Autopilot.
• Autopilot helps cars to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within their lane, while FSD enables vehicles to obey traffic signals and make lane changes.
• NHTSA launched 38 special investigations since 2016 of crashes involving Tesla vehicles, Autopilot, and other advanced systems involving 19 deaths.
• Since last June, Tesla electric vehicles have accounted for nearly 70% of crashes involving advanced driver-assist systems.
• ​​Tesla's Autopilot is a subject of focus and on the Federal Trade Commission's radar.
• Price Action: TSLA shares traded lower by 1.45% at $895.45 in the premarket on the last check Friday.
• Photo by Blomst via Pixabay

Posted In: TSLA