(CLO) The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially opened an investigation into Tesla's self-driving technology after four accidents occurred, including one that resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
Self-driving technology has been a central part of Tesla's strategy, with CEO Elon Musk repeatedly claiming that Tesla vehicles are safer in autopilot mode than when a human is in control. However, recent accidents have raised doubts about the technology's capabilities, prompting an investigation by the NHTSA.
NHTSA is looking into whether the software Tesla calls "Full Self-Driving" has a mechanism to monitor and require the driver to take back control when the system cannot operate safely on its own.
Federal officials have also been investigating Tesla's Autopilot system for years.
The crashes the agency investigated occurred in low-visibility situations, such as strong sunlight, fog, or dust. Tesla’s self-driving technology relies heavily on cameras, while competitors use radar and laser technology, which are better at detecting objects in low-visibility conditions.
Tesla’s self-driving software has long been a source of controversy between advocates of the advanced technology and safety experts who say the system does not do enough to keep drivers alert. Furthermore, Tesla is facing multiple lawsuits from families of victims who say the technology caused the deaths of their loved ones.
Elon Musk has repeatedly stressed that Tesla’s future depends on developing and perfecting self-driving technology. The company recently held an event to unveil its driverless taxi at Warner Bros. Studios, where Musk said the vehicle would be ready by 2027 for less than $30,000. The taxi has no steering wheel or brake pedals and is said to be fully autonomous.
But the NHTSA investigation is a sign that even if Tesla succeeds technologically, the company still faces significant regulatory hurdles. Elon Musk’s promises of full self-driving capabilities, such as “falling asleep and waking up at your destination,” have left many people confused about what the system is actually capable of at this point.
The NHTSA investigation covers 2.4 million Tesla vehicles, from the Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model Y to the Cybertruck pickup truck. This puts a lot of pressure on Tesla to address safety issues related to the self-driving system.
Elon Musk may not be happy with strict government regulations, but Tesla has been a big beneficiary of federal and state clean air credit programs in the US. In the first six months of 2024 alone, Tesla earned $1.3 billion from these programs.
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/co-quan-chinh-quyen-my-dieu-tra-he-thong-tu-lai-cua-tesla-post317671.html
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