
NHTSA’s latest probe into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology shines a light on safety in low-visibility conditions, with serious implications for Tesla’s autonomous future.
At a Glance
- NHTSA investigates Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” under low-visibility conditions.
- The probe follows fatal and serious accidents involving Tesla vehicles.
- The investigation encompasses 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from model years 2016-2024.
- It may impact Tesla’s future plans for fully autonomous vehicles.
NHTSA Investigation Explained
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an inquiry targeting Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” technology due to several notable crashes, some fatal, under conditions of low visibility such as sun glare, fog, and dust. The sudden intrusion of autonomous driving safety into mainstream regulatory discourse underscores a significant challenge facing Tesla.
NHTSA’s move to assess the Full Self-Driving feature covers 2016 to 2024 model years, totaling approximately 2.4 million vehicles. This scrutiny follows four reported accidents related to diminished visibility, leading to injuries and even fatalities. The collision involving a pedestrian that resulted in a death is particularly concerning for the agency’s ongoing vehicular safety standards.
Consequences for Tesla’s Autonomous Dreams
Elon Musk’s push for camera-only technology drives Tesla’s autonomous timetable. However, this approach has faced criticism, as competitors employ more sophisticated sensor combinations, such as lidar and radar, for hazard detection. Musk remains adamant; as he stated, “humans drive with only eyesight, so cars should be able to drive with just cameras.”
Whether Tesla’s vehicles can safely negotiate conditions without these additional sensors will be central to the NHTSA’s determinations. As the investigation continues, Tesla’s roadmap for launching a steering-free and pedal-less robotaxi by 2026 may encounter regulatory friction.
NHTSA said on Friday it has opened an investigation into Tesla's $TSLA Full Self-Driving software after reports of four collisions, including one fatal crash, involving its driver-assistance technology in low-visibility conditions.https://t.co/0bJonJYdPm
— Akash Sriram (@HoodieOnVeshti) October 18, 2024
Broader Implications for Autonomous Driving
Critics argue that this scrutiny could recalibrate Tesla’s ambitions if the Full Self-Driving system is found wanting. The investigation could lead to more stringent safety standards or even recalls should the technology exhibit unreasonable safety risks. Previously, NHTSA interventions resulted in system updates to the Autopilot feature, emphasizing enhanced driver attentiveness.
The final verdict from this investigation could set a precedent for how autonomous technology is regulated and perceived, potentially altering the course of vehicular autonomy policy in the years to come.