Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk
Podcast. This is a show where we discuss
the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla X, The
Boring Company, and Neurolink. I'm your host, Will Walden.
How effective is Tesla's full self driving system under poor
visibility? And also, what led a new federal
investigation targeting Tesla's driver assistance tech?
Could this scrutiny disrupt Elon Musk's robo taxi?
Now, the National Hwy. Traffic Safety Administration,
the NHTSA, announced a preliminary evaluation into
Tesla's FSD technology after four reported crashes between
November 2023 and May of 2024. These incidents all occurred
under reduced visibility conditions such as fog, sun
glare or airborne dust. The agency's focus is whether
the software is capable of detecting and responding
appropriately in such scenarios. One of these incidents in
Rimrock, AZ involved a Tesla Model Y striking and killing a
pedestrian. The crashes have prompted
concerns over the system's reliability in non ideal driving
environments, leading to broader inquiries into its operational
safety. The investigation effects
approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD,
spanning models released between 2016 and 2024.
This includes Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y, and also
the 2023-2024 Cyber Truck. The preliminary evaluation is
just the first step in a potentially lengthy process that
could lead to recalls if the vehicles are deemed a safety
risk. The investigation will assess
whether Tesla has made updates to the FSD system to improve its
handling of poor visibility, and the NHTSA is also evaluating the
safety implications of the updates, examining their timing,
purpose and effectiveness. Now, the four crashes under
investigation are under certain scenarios with SFD appeared to
falter. Rimrock, AZ November 2023 I
already spoke about that when a pedestrian was killed after
being struck by a 2021 Tesla Model Y January 2024 in nipped
in California, a Model 3 collided with another vehicle
during a dust storm and Red Mills, Virginia in March of
2024, a Model 3 was involved in a crash on a cloudy day and
Collinsville, OH May 2024 a Model three hit a stationary
object on a foggy rural Rd., resulting in injuries.
Now the NHTSA is seeking to determine if these incidents are
indicative of broader systematic issues within the Full Self
Driving system. Tesla has long marketed FSD
software as a step toward autonomous driving, though it
currently requires driver supervision.
And on its website, Tesla clearly states that FSD is not a
fully autonomous system and advisors users to remain
attentive during driving behind the wheel.
The system has faced scrutiny throughout the years, with
critics arguing that Tesla's reliance and a camera only
approach without supplemental sensors like radar or lidar may
limit its reliability in adverse conditions.
And some industry experts suggest that weather related
challenges could be a critical hurdle for Tesla's self driving.
Now, this latest probe is not Tesla's first encounter with
regulators. Earlier in 2023, NHTSA closed an
investigation into Tesla's less advanced Autopilot system after
examining nearly 500 crashes. That inquiry identified 13 fatal
accidents, leading to heightened concerns about Tesla's driver
assistance technology. Tesla also faces lawsuits and
government investigations into its claims about Autopilot and
FSD. One high profile case, Tesla
reached a settlement early this year avoiding a trial of an
Autopilot related crash. Meanwhile, the Department of
Justice has issued subpoenas related to Tesla's self driving
claims, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles has
accused the company of overstating the system's
capabilities. Now, Elon Musk has frequently
touted Tesla's advancements in autonomous technology
positioning in as a cornerstone of the company's future.
Just a week before the investigation was announced,
Musk unveiled the prototype of the Cyber Cab 2 Seater Robo Taxi
concept without a steering wheel or pedals.
Now, Musk claimed that Model Threes and Model Y vehicles
would operate without supervision in California and
Texas by 2025, but offer no specifics on how this would be
achieved. However, regulatory hurdles loom
large for Tesla to deploy vehicles without traditional
controls, approval from NHTSA would be required.
This poses a huge challenge as the agency investigates Tesla's
current technology and its ability to ensure safety.
Now, Tesla's approach to autonomous driving relies
exclusively on camera based vision systems powered by
artificial intelligence, a method some experts argue is
vulnerable to environmental limitations.
And competing companies such as Waymo and Cruise incorporate
lidar and radar technology to enhance their system's ability
to navigate complex environments.
Now, Jeff Schuster, who's a vice president at Global Data, noted
that weather conditions could impede the performance of camera
based systems, adding the regulatory oversight may delay
Tesla's deployment of fully autonomous vehicles.
And the investigation adds to more pressure on Tesla as it
faces increased competition in the electric vehicle market.
Companies focus on self driving technology comes amid slowing
demand for its core vehicles and rivals are making strides in the
robo taxi space with more robust sensor arrays.
Tesla's legal troubles and regulatory scrutiny could also
impact investor confidence. While Tesla's stock rose
slightly after the announcement of the investigation, prolonged
uncertainty could weigh on the company's market position.
Now. What's next?
The NHTS as preliminary evaluation is expected to last
up to 8 months, but the agency identifies significant safety
risks. It could escalate the
investigation to an engineering analysis or recommend a recall.
Tesla has not commented publicly on the latest probe, leaving
questions about its next steps unanswered.
The agency is also examining whether Tesla drivers are
adequately adhering to instructions to remain engaged
while using FSD. Past investigations in Autopilot
revealed instances where drivers rely too heavily on the system,
leading to accidents. Now, Tesla has faced other fatal
accidents involving its driver sys systems.
In one instance in April of 2023, a Model S operating in FSD
mode struck and killed the motorist near Seattle.
Such incidents have drawn criticism from safety advocates,
who argue that Tesla's branding of a software as Full Self
Driving can mislead users into overestimating its capabilities.
Now, the company's December 2023 recall of more than two million
vehicles to address issues with its Autopilot system also
remains under review. The NHTSA is still evaluating
whether those measures adequately resolve concerns
about drivers not paying attention.
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