US Government Launches Investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving System Following Pedestrian Death

The US government's road safety agency is examining Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" system due to reports of accidents in poor visibility, including a fatal pedestrian incident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated the investigation after Tesla reported four crashes involving sun glare, fog, and dust. One crash resulted in a pedestrian's death, while another caused an injury.

Investigators aim to assess the system's ability to handle reduced visibility conditions and identify factors contributing to these incidents. The probe involves approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from model years 2016 to 2024. A request for comment was sent to Tesla, which maintains that human drivers must always be ready to intervene.

Impact on Tesla's Autonomous Plans

Tesla recently showcased a fully autonomous robotaxi without steering wheels or pedals at a Hollywood event. Elon Musk announced plans for autonomous Models Y and 3 by next year, with robotaxis expected in California and Texas by 2026. However, NHTSA approval is required for such vehicles, which may be delayed due to the ongoing investigation.

The investigation's effect on Tesla's self-driving ambitions remains uncertain. While federal regulations for autonomous vehicles are lacking, state regulations could govern any deployment of self-driving features in existing models. NHTSA will also investigate if similar crashes have occurred under low visibility conditions and whether updates have influenced system performance.

Details of Recent Incidents

Tesla reported the crashes as required by NHTSA, including a pedestrian fatality in Rimrock, Arizona, in November 2023. A 2021 Tesla Model Y struck a pedestrian after colliding with a Toyota 4Runner on Interstate 17. The victim was a 71-year-old woman from Mesa, Arizona. Further details are pending.

NHTSA has previously pressured Tesla into recalling "Full Self-Driving" due to programming issues like running stop signs and disobeying traffic laws. These problems were addressed through software updates. Critics argue that Tesla's reliance on cameras alone is insufficient for full autonomy compared to other companies using radar and laser sensors.

Previous Investigations and Criticisms

The "Full Self-Driving" recalls followed a three-year investigation into Tesla's Autopilot system crashing into parked emergency vehicles. This earlier probe concluded with recalls aimed at ensuring driver attention. NHTSA began investigating the effectiveness of these recalls shortly after they were issued.

NHTSA started its Autopilot crash investigation in 2021 after receiving reports of Teslas hitting parked emergency vehicles while using Autopilot. The agency found 467 crashes involving Autopilot, resulting in 54 injuries and 14 deaths. Autopilot is an advanced cruise control system, while "Full Self-Driving" is marketed as capable of driving independently.

New Focus on System Capabilities

The latest investigation marks a shift for NHTSA, which previously viewed Tesla's systems as driver aids rather than autonomous driving technologies. Now, the focus is on evaluating "Full Self-Driving" capabilities beyond just ensuring driver attentiveness.

Michael Brooks from the Centre for Auto Safety noted that earlier investigations didn't address why Teslas failed to detect and stop for emergency vehicles. He stated that the current probe highlights the systems' inability to identify safety hazards regardless of driver attention.