The first fatality involving a Tesla Model S on autopilot is currently under investigation. Tesla reiterates driver responsibility.
On May the 7th the first fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S with autopilot activated was reported. Tesla revealed in a blog post that they informed the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the incident last week, which is now investigating. The accident occurred in Florida (USA) on a divided highway when a tractor trailer drove across perpendicular to the Model S.
Both the driver (who according to Tesla’s user responsibilities is ultimately responsible for the vehicle’s actions – even with autopilot on) and the autopilot system failed to notice the truck and trailer crossing the road. It is believed that the autopilot system did not recognise the white trailer against the brightly lit sky. Musk later tweeted that the vehicle’s radar did not help due to the fact that it eliminates objects that looks like an overhead road sign to avoid false braking events.
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Due to the high level of the trailer the Model S passed under and first impact was with the windshield. Tesla stated in their blog that should the car have impacted at the front or rear the safety systems “would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents.” The accident occurred May 7th in Williston, Florida with 40-year-old Ohio resident Joshua Brown driving. The truck driver was not injured.
Tesla has reiterated in their blog post that when customers sign up for the “public beta phase” autopilot system, they agree to a host of safety precautions. The system was designed with the expectation that drivers keep their hands on the wheel and that the driver is required to “maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle.”
This hasn’t stopped some auto companies for criticising Tesla for introducing the autopilot system so early. An unnamed Volvo engineer said that the system gives the driver the impression that it is doing more than it actually is luring drivers into a false sense of security. Several automakers working on systems similar to Autopilot “” GM with Super Cruise, for instance “” have only tested the feature privately and have said they won’t deploy until they’re ready. Volvo has vowed to take full legal liability when they launch their autonomous mode, with limited trails of their Drive Me technology set to happen next year.
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Source: TechRadar
Follow Jaco van der Walt on Twitter: @Jaco_vdWalt
