Tesla recalls nearly all cars sold in U.S. as its Autopilot fails
Tesla (flickr.com)
Tesla is initiating a recall of over 2 million vehicles, nearly all cars sold in the United States, to address issues with its Autopilot systems. They were identified by U.S. safety regulators who found inadequate controls to prevent misuse, according to The Washington Post and The Associated Press.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) criticized Tesla's approach of ensuring driver attention while the partially automated system is active, deeming it "insufficient."
Following a lengthy investigation into crashes occurring during Autopilot activation, the NHTSA expressed concerns about an elevated risk of accidents.
“There may be an increased risk of a crash,” the Administration wrote. When the system is engaged “and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged.”
Tesla plans a software update
Tesla plans to address these problems via a software update for its 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. Tesla has acknowledged, in user manuals, legal documents, and communications with regulators, that Autosteer, the primary feature of Autopilot, is designed for use on controlled-access highways with a center divider, clear lane markings, and no cross traffic.
Despite the recall, the NHTSA will keep the investigation open to assess the effectiveness of Tesla's remedies. As of the initial reports, Tesla, based in Austin, has not provided immediate comments in response to inquiries.
A recent report by The Washington Post spotlighted at least eight fatal or serious accidents involving Tesla Autopilot in areas where the driver assistance software struggled to operate reliably.
Tesla's Cybertruck
On December 1, Tesla officially started the first deliveries of its Cybertruck, a battery-electric full-size pickup truck made of glossy stainless steel. The announced price for the base model will start at $60,990, which is 50% higher than initially advertised by Musk in 2019.
Tesla also releases Cybertruck for Kids, priced at $1,500. While the full-sized Cybertruck for adults boasts advanced features and a hefty price tag, this scaled-down version is more accessible and playful.
