Consumer Reports reveals Tesla’s autopilot might forget you’re not there
TL;DR – A Tesla Model Y can cruise while you’re not in the driver’s seat, but the car doesn’t warn you when you’re not present, raising red flags for safety regulators.
The “It’s on, but I’m not” test
- Consumer Reports engineers ran several half‑mile laps on a closed track with Tesla Model Y.
- The car followed painted lane markings without anyone sitting in the driver’s seat.
- While the vehicle stayed on course, it failed to alert that a driver was missing.
- Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing, slammed the system for “not keeping the driver attentive” or even “detecting a driver’s absence.”
Why the fuss matters
- Last week, a Model S crashed into a tree north of Houston, killing two men who were believed to be driving while no one was in the seat.
- Tesla’s Autopilot is a driver‑assist feature that allows occasional hands‑off driving, yet the company insists it requires active supervision.
- Other auto giants like GM and Ford have added “driver‑watching” tech that ensures the driver’s eyes stay on the road.
Regulators in the mix
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Ed Markey have asked the NHTSA for a thorough investigation into the Texas crash, hoping to see “corrective actions” that prevent similar tragedies. The agency has already opened 28 Tesla crash probes and is sending a special team to the scene.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged that details are still being gathered, saying, “We’re following this very closely.”
Takeaway
It’s a good reminder that even when driver assistance technology sounds like a future dream, safety protocols must keep the human front of the wheel—or at least keep the car aware they’re out of the seat.
