…
Tesla – Users have always found the idea of having a car drive itself to be enticing, especially in situations when there is traffic or a distance to travel.
Even though it was originally only a vision, Elon Musk and his automaker Tesla were able to make it a reality.
The response has been uneven since the inclusion of the “Full Self Driving” aid software.
Due to its self-driving capability, Tesla had to recall a handful of cars last year.
This year, the firm plans to recall even more cars.
The news
There are reports that Tesla is recalling all 363,000 “Full Self Driving”-equipped cars in the US.
The corporation cited safety concerns as the reason for their choice, which will be another blow to Tesla’s key differentiator.
The autonomous driving function uses artificial intelligence (AI) to steer, brake, and accelerate the car while it travels through local roadways.
Because of the system’s propensity for making poor judgment calls, it also necessitates having a human driver ready to take over at any time.
The problem
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that Tesla’s FSD function has resulted in an unreasonably high danger to motor vehicle safety due to a lack of dedication to traffic safety.
The agency issued a warning that FSD could have the ability to transgress traffic regulations at crossings before motorists can react.
Recently, the NHTSA announced a recall on its website, stating:
“The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution.”
Fixing the system
The FSD function would be fixed by Tesla via an over-the-air software update, which would cost them $15,000, according to the NHTSA notice.
Elon Musk, the CEO, has not yet issued a public remark on the matter.
He has only used the word “recall” in his tweets thus far, claiming it is incorrect and out-of-date to refer to an over-the-air software update.
Yet according to the NHTSA statement, manufacturers are required to start a recall for fixes that reduce an unreasonably high risk to safety, including software upgrades.
The government authorities claim they continue to assess the efficacy of recall solutions.
Read also: Ford halts pickup truck EV production, battery fire creates issue
Affected models
The issues are evident in vehicles using the most recent FSD software version, according to the notice.
The software is used by the following four Tesla models:
- Model S
- Model X
- Model 3
- Model Y
The notification also claimed the corporation detected 18 reports of events between May 8, 2019, and September 12, 2022, which might be tied to similar situations.
The NHTSA stated Tesla is unaware of injuries or deaths in the reported occurrences.
The Tesla driver assistant system was involved in 273 crashes, according to the government authorities.
Safety data
Due to the premiums consumers pay for its amenities and its ability to entice purchasers with its automobiles, Tesla views FSD as the foundation of the business strategy for the firm.
Although being in beta, Elon Musk and the business have insisted that the FSD is safer than manual automobiles.
Musk informed investors in January that the business gathered information from drivers who used FSD outside of highways for more than 100 million miles.
“Our published data shows that improvement in safety,” said the CEO.
“It’s very clear. So we would not have released the FSD Beta if the safety statistics were not excellent.”
Tesla’s claims about safety, however, are disputed by safety professionals.
High-profile incidents involving Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD and its predecessor, the “Autopilot,” have occurred.
Deaths have resulted in some incidents.
The NHTSA is also looking into Autopilot.
Instead of the “full self-driving” idea, the system combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to maintain the automobile in its lane.
Tesla aspires to create an AI that can drive a car autonomously in the future.
Although the recall is intended to address a particular set of issues, it excludes preliminary investigations.
“Accordingly, the agency’s investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot and associated vehicle system remains open and active,” said its statement.
According to Tesla’s annual financial report, the US Justice Department requested records related to the company’s Autopilot and FSD technologies in January.
