The 2021 Tesla Model Y operates in a “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” test on Florida roads, April 20, 2024. The company is giving new and existing owners a 30-day trial. (Pilar Arias/FOX Business)
ThatNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Friday said it was investigating 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software after four crashes were reported, including a fatal crash.
The auto safety regulator opened a preliminary evaluation after receiving four crash reportsTesla FSD software used when road visibility is reduced – such as sunlight, fog, or dust in the air.
NHTSA said that in one crash, “a Tesla vehicle fatally struck a pedestrian. One additional crash under these conditions resulted in reported injuries.”
The Tesla vehicles that are the focus of the NHTSA investigation include 2016-2024 Model S and
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NHTSA is investigating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software for its performance in reduced visibility conditions. (Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images / Getty Images)
NHTSA’s initial evaluation is the first step in the process the agency intends to undertakeremember the vehicle if it is believed that it poses an unreasonable risk to safety.
| Heart | Security | Final | Change | Change % |
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| TSLA | TESLA INC. | 220.89 | -0.44 |
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The agency’s review of the FSD engineering controls’ ability to “detect and respond appropriatelyreduced road visibility condition” will include checking whether similar FSD damage has occurred under those conditions, as well as whether any updates or modifications made to the FSD by Tesla have affected its performance when visibility is reduced.
NHTSA said “the review will assess the timing, purpose, and capabilities of the update, as well as Tesla’s assessment of its safety impacts.”
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Tesla is focused on developing FSD and robotaxis to help spur demand. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk has sought to increase electric vehicle (EV) makers’ focus on self-driving and robotaxis technology as it faces stiff competition and weak consumer demand in the EV market.
Tesla’s FSD technology has been in development for years and ultimately aims to achieve a high level of automation capabilities, where the vehicle can perform most driving tasks without human intervention. However, it has faced legal scrutiny on at least two frontsfatal accidentincluding an incident in April when a Model S in FSD mode hit and killed a motorcyclist in the Seattle area.
Tesla explains on its website that FSD and its Autopilot feature are intended for use by attentive drivers who can intervene and take control as needed.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has emphasized FSD in Tesla’s product development plans. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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“Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) are intended for use with an attentive driver, who is in control and ready to take over at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable over time, the features currently enabled does not make the vehicle autonomous,” Tesla wrote.
Reuters contributed to this report.
