The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary evaluation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode (FSD) due to concerns about potential crashes in reduced roadway visibility conditions. This investigation comes after the agency noted four reports of incidents, including one last November in Rimrock, AZ, where a Model Y struck and killed a pedestrian.
Background
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified four Standing General Order (SGO) reports involving Tesla vehicles that crashed while engaging FSD-Beta or FSD-Supervised (collectively, FSD) in areas with reduced roadway visibility. These conditions included sun glare, fog, and airborne dust. In one of these incidents, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a Tesla vehicle.
Incident Reports
The four SGO reports identified by ODI include:
- A Model Y striking and killing a pedestrian in Rimrock, AZ, last November
- An incident where a Tesla vehicle experienced a crash while entering an area with reduced roadway visibility conditions with FSD-Beta engaged
- Another incident involving a reported injury when a Tesla vehicle crashed while navigating through foggy conditions with FSD-Supervised engaged
Investigation Scope
The NHTSA’s Preliminary Evaluation will focus on assessing the following:
Ability of FSD Engineering Controls to Detect and Respond Appropriately
The investigation aims to determine if FSD’s engineering controls are capable of detecting and responding to reduced roadway visibility conditions. This includes evaluating whether the system is designed to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Similar Crashes in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
NHTSA will examine any other incidents involving Tesla vehicles that crashed while engaging FSD in areas with reduced roadway visibility conditions. The agency aims to identify contributing circumstances for these crashes, including any potential safety risks associated with the FSD system.
Updates and Modifications to FSD System
The investigation will also assess any updates or modifications made by Tesla to the FSD system that may impact its performance in reduced roadway visibility conditions. This includes evaluating the timing, purpose, and capabilities of such updates, as well as Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact.
Relevance to Autonomous Vehicle Technology
This investigation comes at a time when autonomous vehicle technology is gaining significant attention. The NHTSA’s evaluation into FSD highlights concerns about the safety risks associated with camera-based self-driving systems compared to sensor-based systems, such as those used by Waymo and other robotaxi companies.
Tesla’s Position on Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Elon Musk has publicly stated that computer vision-based self-driving systems are more advanced than sensor-based systems. He claims that Tesla’s FSD system is capable of detecting objects and navigating through complex scenarios without relying on sensors like lidar or radar. However, the NHTSA’s investigation raises questions about the effectiveness of FSD in areas with reduced roadway visibility conditions.
Impact on Autonomous Vehicle Industry
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the autonomous vehicle industry as a whole. The NHTSA’s findings may influence regulatory decisions and inform the development of safety standards for self-driving vehicles.
Conclusion
The NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode highlights concerns about potential crashes in reduced roadway visibility conditions. This investigation underscores the need for continued research and improvement in autonomous vehicle technology to ensure public safety. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to address these safety risks proactively.
References
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "Preliminary Evaluation Report: Tesla Full Self-Driving Mode."
- TechCrunch. "Tesla’s full self-driving mode faces NHTSA probe over crashes in reduced visibility conditions."
