The U.S. government's auto safety agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is currently conducting an investigation into the effectiveness of Tesla's Autopilot driving system recall that took place last year. The recall, which involved more than 2 million vehicles, was initiated in December following a two-year investigation into Autopilot's driver monitoring system.
The primary concern of the NHTSA revolves around whether the recall adequately addressed the issue of ensuring drivers pay attention to the road while using the Autopilot system. The driver monitoring system in question measures torque on the steering wheel from a driver's hands to gauge attentiveness.
As part of the recall, Tesla implemented an online software update aimed at enhancing warnings to drivers. However, the NHTSA has noted instances of crashes occurring even after the software fix was applied. Additionally, Tesla introduced updates that were not initially included in the recall.
The NHTSA has expressed intentions to delve deeper into why these additional updates were not part of the original recall or deemed necessary to address a potential safety risk. The agency is committed to investigating the matter thoroughly to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers utilizing Tesla's Autopilot system.
As the investigation progresses, both Tesla and the NHTSA will continue to work together to assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action to mitigate any safety concerns associated with the Autopilot driving system.
