The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set a firm deadline for Tesla to provide critical data on its Autopilot system after a voluntary software recall affected nearly 2 million vehicles in the United States. The electric vehicle manufacturer has until July 1 to submit the required information or face fines of up to $135.8 million.
NHTSA’s Investigation and Recall Mandate
The NHTSA sent a letter to the EV company on May 6, demanding details regarding the changes made to the Autopilot driver assistance system after the recall in December. The recall was intended to enhance Tesla’s driver-engagement systems, which are designed to monitor whether drivers are safely using features like traffic-aware cruise control, lane keeping, and auto steering. These features are integral to the company’s Autopilot system.
Concerns and Collision Data
Since the recall, at least 20 Tesla vehicles have been involved in accidents, allegedly while Autopilot was engaged. The incidents include 467 crashes and 14 deaths from January 2018 to August 2023. According to the NHTSA, drivers were not sufficiently engaged in the driving task, and the system did not adequately ensure that drivers maintained attention.
Driver Monitoring Systems
To detect driver attention, the company employs torque sensors in the steering wheel and in-cabin cameras to monitor drivers’ gaze. If the system senses inattention, it alerts drivers to maintain focus and readiness to steer or brake. The NHTSA is probing these systems’ effectiveness in ensuring safe use of the Autopilot features.
This Halo themed Tesla Cybertruck is insanepic.twitter.com/qW0myyajV1
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) May 7, 2024
Seeking Comprehensive Data
The NHTSA requires Tesla to provide comprehensive crash data following the recall, including information stored in or streamed from vehicles and retained by the company. Further details on the company’s internal decision-making processes regarding safety defect identification, issue investigation, engineering team workflows, and human factors are also being requested.
Tesla’s Corporate Reorganization
Tesla is currently undergoing a significant corporate reorganization involving layoffs that may have impacted the teams responsible for Autopilot and vehicle safety engineering. The company has not disclosed the extent of these layoffs.
Elon Musk’s Vision and Investor Attention
Despite the challenges facing Autopilot, the company’s CEO Elon Musk continues to advocate for autonomous driving. He has shifted investor focus to potential future products such as AI-based robotaxis and humanoid robots. This vision comes amid a drop in the EV sales in the first quarter and increased scrutiny from regulators.
The NHTSA’s investigation underscores the importance of safety in emerging automotive technologies and the necessity for manufacturers to ensure driver attention and compliance. Tesla’s response to the agency’s demands will shape the future of its Autopilot system and its broader autonomous ambitions.
