Tesla Autopilot Under the Spotlight Again
Guess what’s been buzzing in the US? Tesla’s autopilot has been thrust back into the headlines, and not for the good kind of reasons.
Two Tragic Motorcyclist Falls
- July 7, 2022 – Riverside, California: A Model Y smashed into a Yamaha V‑Star, claiming the rider’s life right there on the spot.
- July 24, 2022 – Utah: A Model 3 collided with a Harley‑Davidson, and the rider was also lost immediately.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently scratching its head over these crashes.
Is the System Out of Tune?
Rumors abound that Tesla’s driver‑assist tech has a soft spot for motorcycles—almost as if it’s on a “no‑motorbike” diet. Statistically, out of 30 crashes where autopilot might have been active, 19 resulted in fatalities.
Crash Tests Are No Joke
Remember the infamous “stopping test”? Tesla’s latest vehicle didn’t cheat that one either: the car collided with a dummy, making the test fail. And if that wasn’t dramatic enough, a Reddit video shows the Tesla crashing into a “child” dummy while its rivals pulled away with finesse. Folks, the picture is not pretty.
Vision Without Radar? Risks All Around
Back in June 2021, Tesla trimmed away its radar sensors, leaving a camera-only “Tesla Vision” system. Picture eight cameras cradling the car’s sphere, sending images to a brain‑like computer that “recognises” road scares. Doubts still linger: can this vision survive the night, brutal glare, or a snowy morning? The skepticism is real.
Unexpected Brakes, Unexpected Checks
- In the same month, 750 sudden autonomous braking incidents popped up in Model 3 & Y vehicles across the US.
- Elsewhere, a Singaporean rumbler with hands off the wheel on a Tesla Model 3 was caught by Malaysian authorities while driving to Kuala Lumpur—autopilot engaged, no hands, no brakes? Out of the way rules are being tested.
All in all, folks, the autopilot saga is no longer a whispered rumor. It’s rattling the industry, and the buzz is happening in the streets and on the highway.
— Original piece made its debut on CarBuyer’s site.
