- NHTSA stated that, based on the crash incidents that it had reviewed, Tesla’s FSD technology failed to detect common visibility hazards on the road that impeded the camera’s performance.
- The auto regulator noted that Tesla also failed to provide alerts when camera performance had deteriorated until immediately before the crash occurred.
- It added that a review of Tesla’s responses uncovered additional crashes in similar conditions where the system failed to recognize degraded visibility or did not alert drivers in time to react.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday elevated its probe into Tesla Inc.’s (TSLA) Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology over concerns that it fails to alert drivers about degraded visibility conditions.
The NHTSA probe covers more than 3.2 million Tesla vehicles and includes the Model Y, 3, S, X, and the Cybertruck equipped with the FSD technology.
“The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system’s ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond,” the NHTSA said.
Tesla’s shares declined about 1% in Thursday’s pre-market trade. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits around the company was in the ‘bearish’ territory at the time of writing.
Tesla FSD Missed Common Visibility Hazards, Says NHTSA
The auto regulator stated that, based on the crash incidents that it had reviewed, Tesla’s FSD technology failed to detect common visibility hazards on the road that impeded the camera’s performance.
NHTSA noted that Tesla also failed to provide alerts when camera performance had deteriorated until immediately before the crash occurred. It added that a review of Tesla’s responses uncovered additional crashes in similar conditions where the system failed to recognize degraded visibility or did not alert drivers in time to react.
“In each of these crashes, FSD also lost track of or never detected a lead vehicle in its path,” NHTSA said.
Musk Pins The Blame On Driver
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday pinned the blame for one of the crashes involving a Cybertruck with FSD on the driver.
“Logs show driver disengaged Autopilot four seconds before crashing,” Musk said in a post on X.
The incident in question involved a Houston woman who stated that her Tesla Cybertruck, with FSD engaged, nearly drove her and her infant off a bridge, according to a report by Fox Business.
TSLA stock is down 13% year-to-date, but up 74% over the past 12 months. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is up 18% over the past 12 months, while the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) is up 25%.
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