The future of Tesla’s ambitions for autonomous vehicles has hit a regulatory roadblock. On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation into Tesla’s self-driving technology, citing four collisions, including a fatal incident involving a pedestrian.
The NHTSA is scrutinizing the ‘supervised full self-driving’ software, evaluating whether it includes sufficient safety mechanisms to ensure drivers can promptly regain control in situations where the autonomous system falters. This inquiry comes as Tesla, under CEO Elon Musk, pivots its strategy toward software-driven autonomy, particularly as the growth in electric vehicle sales tapers off. Public events, such as the recent unveiling of a ‘cybercab’ at Warner Bros. studios near Los Angeles, signal this intensified focus. Musk has touted this driverless taxi, promising it would transport passengers without human intervention.
However, Tesla’s autonomous software has encountered recurrent criticism from safety experts and regulators, who question the measures in place to guarantee driver attentiveness and readiness to assume control when needed. Lawsuits against Tesla, alleging injuries or deaths caused by the software, further amplify these concerns.
During last week’s announcement, Musk projected the self-driving taxi, which lacks a steering wheel or brake pedal, would debut by 2027 with a price tag under $30,000. The NHTSA investigation suggests that even if Tesla refines its technology, regulatory barriers could present significant challenges.
Tesla has not issued an official response to requests for comment. Musk, however, has often maintained that Tesla vehicles operating in self-driving mode are safer than those driven by humans.
