Tesla Recalls Over 2 Million Cars in US Due to Autopilot Defect
Tesla has announced a recall of more than two million cars in the United States after the country’s regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), identified a defect in the company’s driver assistance system, Autopilot. The recall comes after a two-year investigation into crashes that occurred while the Autopilot feature was in use. The affected cars include almost every Tesla sold in the US since the launch of Autopilot in 2015.
In response to the issue, Tesla will be sending a software update over the air to rectify the problem. This update will be done automatically without the need for a visit to a dealership or garage. However, despite the convenient nature of the update, the NHTSA still classifies it as a recall.
The UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has been approached by the BBC to determine how Tesla drivers in the UK will be affected by the recall.
While Autopilot is designed to assist with steering, acceleration, and braking, Tesla emphasizes that it still requires driver input. The software is intended to ensure that drivers remain attentive and that the feature is only utilized in appropriate driving conditions, such as on highways.
The NHTSA’s investigation of 956 Tesla crashes spanning two years revealed that the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse. The agency stressed that while automated technology has the potential to enhance safety, it must be deployed responsibly. The NHTSA has committed to monitoring the software following the update.
Tesla’s response to the NHTSA’s analysis was not included in the report. However, the company did agree to incorporate new features to address the regulator’s concerns. These additional measures will include enhanced checks when activating the self-driving capabilities.
Last week, a former Tesla employee expressed concerns about the safety of the technology. Lukasz Krupski, who won the Blueprint Prize recognizing whistleblowers, stated that he believed the hardware and software were not yet ready for public roads. Mr. Krupski welcomed the recall as a step in the right direction but highlighted that the issue extends beyond the US, as the hardware is the same in all Tesla vehicles.
In defense of Autopilot’s safety, Tesla recently argued in a post on social media that using the feature leads to stronger safety outcomes compared to not engaging it. The company cited statistics indicating a lower number of crashes when Autopilot is in use.
Jack Stilgoe, an associate professor at University College London specializing in autonomous vehicles, remarked that Tesla should have devoted more time to developing the system in the first place. He suggested that conventional safety measures involve ensuring a car is safe when leaving the factory.
Although this is the second recall impacting Tesla vehicles this year, Susannah Streeter of investment company Hargreaves Lansdown believes it is unlikely to significantly affect the carmaker’s momentum. Streeter noted that recalls are commonplace in the industry and highlighted Tesla’s financial capability to implement fixes.
Tesla has aggressively promoted its self-driving technology, considering it essential for future growth. Analysts at Goldman Sachs estimate that Tesla’s most advanced Autopilot offering, full self-driving, could generate over $50 billion annually by 2030, a substantial increase from the current $1-3 billion range. In the US, the full self-driving package is priced at $12,000, with an additional $199 monthly subscription fee.
The recall specifically targets Autosteer, a component of Autopilot responsible for keeping the car in the correct lane in conjunction with traffic-aware cruise control. The driver is expected to maintain hands-on control and be prepared to take over when necessary. Autosteer monitors the driver’s attention level and issues warnings if attention lapses. Alerts are also triggered if the driver attempts to use Autosteer in inappropriate circumstances.
The NHTSA’s recall report states that the forthcoming over-the-air update will introduce additional alerts and monitoring to encourage drivers to fulfill their responsibility of remaining attentive while Autosteer is engaged.
Tesla’s commitment to self-driving technology remains unwavering, despite this recall. The company has positioned itself as a frontrunner in the autonomous vehicle market, and it hopes to capitalize on the potential revenue growth associated with full self-driving capabilities.
In conclusion, Tesla’s recall of over two million cars in the US due to the Autopilot defect highlights the challenges of developing and deploying advanced driver assistance systems. As the electric car manufacturer works to address the issue, the impact on its momentum remains uncertain. However, Tesla continues to prioritize the development of self-driving technology as the key to its future success.
