The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) system following reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions, including a fatal incident involving a pedestrian.
The probe encompasses approximately 2.4 million Teslas from model years 2016 to 2024. Investigators aim to determine the system's ability to detect and respond to reduced visibility scenarios, such as sun glare and fog.
Recent events highlighted Tesla's ambitions for fully autonomous vehicles, with plans for robotaxis lacking steering wheels and pedals slated for California and Texas by 2026. However, the investigation's outcome could hinder these developments.
NHTSA's inquiry will also assess the safety impact of any updates to the FSD system that might have affected its performance in low-visibility conditions. Critics argue that Tesla's reliance solely on cameras for hazard detection may compromise safety, as most competitors incorporate additional sensors.
This investigation marks a shift in NHTSA's focus, now scrutinizing the capabilities of FSD rather than merely ensuring driver attention. The implications of this probe could reshape the regulatory landscape for autonomous vehicles in the U.S.