Tesla's Full Self-Driving Falls Short: Study Reveals Safety Concerns and Frequent Human Intervention

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Falls Short: Study Reveals Safety Concerns and Frequent Human Intervention

Independent study reveals Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology requires frequent human intervention, raising safety concerns. Researchers found unpredictable behavior, including running red lights and veering into oncoming traffic, challenging Tesla's readiness for autonomous driving and robotaxi services.

Staff Editor September 27, 2024

Independent Study Raises Concerns Over Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Capabilities

A recent study conducted by independent firm AMCI Testing has cast doubt on the readiness of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology for widespread autonomous use. Researchers drove a Tesla equipped with FSD for over 1,000 miles, finding that the system required human intervention at an alarmingly high rate.

The team reported that the system’s capabilities were “suspect” due to dangerous and unpredictable infractions, including running a red light. Testers were forced to intervene over 75 times while FSD was in control, averaging once every 13 miles. This frequency is particularly concerning given that typical US drivers travel about 35 to 40 miles per day.

AMCI director Guy Mangiamele highlighted the unpredictability of the system, noting that it could fail in scenarios it had previously navigated successfully. This inconsistency raises questions about the technology’s reliability and safety.

Despite some successes, such as navigating a tight two-way road, the study found that FSD fell short in safety-critical activities. In one instance, the Tesla ran a red light during a night drive, following other motorists who disregarded the signal. Another concerning incident involved the vehicle failing to recognize a double yellow line around a curve, veering into oncoming traffic and requiring driver intervention to avoid a collision.

These findings challenge Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s ambitions of launching a driverless robotaxi service, dubbed the “Cybercab.” AMCI’s testing suggests that Tesla’s autonomous driving technology may not yet be safe enough for such a service.

The study also raised concerns about driver complacency when using FSD. Mangiamele emphasized that drivers often operate with their hands away from the steering wheel when FSD is engaged, creating a potentially dangerous situation.

As Tesla continues to develop its autonomous driving technology, these findings underscore the importance of rigorous testing and improvement before fully autonomous vehicles can safely navigate public roads.