A pedestrian was killed as a result of one of the collisions they were involved in.
An investigation of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability of Tesla vehicles is now being conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in relation to four accidents. Both the beta and supervised versions of FSD were activated during the collisions, which took occurred in settings with decreased visibility. According to TechCrunch, a pedestrian was killed after a Model Y was involved in an accident in Arizona in the month of November 2023. Model 3 electric vehicles were involved in all three of the other crashes that took place between March and May of this year. One of the collisions resulted in an injury being sustained.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vision was reduced in these accidents due to factors like as sun glare, fog, and airborne dust. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the agency is conducting an investigation of the Functional Safety Department’s (FSD) capability to “detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions.” It will also make an effort to ascertain whether or not there have been any other crashes that occurred under comparable conditions with FSD enabled. Additionally, the ODI will investigate any modifications made by Tesla to the system “that may affect the performance of FSD in conditions where there is reduction in roadway visibility.” This study will specifically evaluate the timing, purpose, and capabilities of any updates of this kind, as well as Tesla’s evaluation of the impact that these changes will have on terms of safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded its investigation into hundreds of accidents in which Tesla’s Autopilot technology occurred in April. According to the report, thirteen of those collisions resulted in fatalities. Furthermore, the agency came to the conclusion that the drivers “were not sufficiently engaged” in a number of the collisions, and that “the warnings provided by Autopilot when Autosteer was engaged did not adequately ensure that drivers maintained their attention on the driving task.”
A statement made by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, just last week stated that beginning in the year 2020, the Model 3 and Model Y SUV will be able to operate without the need for supervision in the states of California and Texas. During the same event, Musk presented the Cybercab, a two-seater robocab that does not have a steering wheel or pedals. The business plans to begin production of the Cybercab by the year 2027.
It is not possible to get in touch with Tesla’s media relations department in order to find out further information.