Concerns Arise Over Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” System Following Public Statement

A recent tweet by Elon Musk suggesting that Tesla may permit some users of its “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system to disable a reminder to keep their hands on the steering wheel has raised alarms among U.S. safety regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has requested further details from Tesla regarding this statement, as part of a broader investigation into numerous Tesla incidents where vehicles using Autopilot have collided with emergency vehicles.

Since 2021, Tesla has been beta-testing its FSD feature with untrained owners, who are monitored by the company. Earlier this year, Tesla reported that around 160,000 vehicles, approximately 15% of those in the U.S., were involved in this testing phase, with plans for wider software distribution anticipated for late 2022.

Despite its name, Tesla clarifies on its website that the vehicles are not capable of full autonomy. While FSD can navigate roads in many situations, experts caution that the system is not infallible. Musk himself stated in October, “We’re not saying it’s quite ready to have no one behind the wheel.”

The controversy escalated when a supporter suggested on New Year’s Eve that drivers with substantial experience using FSD should be allowed to switch off the “steering wheel nag.” Musk responded affirmatively, stating that an update would be forthcoming in January.

The implications of disabling a driver monitoring system, particularly in vehicles that automate steering and speed, could pose risks to other road users, warned Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports. “Using FSD beta, you’re part of an experiment,” he noted, highlighting that other drivers have not agreed to participate in such conditions.

Tesla has not commented on the tweet or its driver monitoring practices. Safety advocates and investigators have long critiqued the company’s monitoring system as insufficient. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified poor monitoring as a contributing factor in a 2018 fatal crash involving a Tesla, yet their recommendations for improvement have reportedly gone unaddressed by the company.

Tesla’s current monitoring system measures steering wheel torque to ensure driver engagement; however, it also employs cameras to observe the driver’s gaze. Critics argue that these cameras lack the infrared capabilities found in competitor systems, limiting their effectiveness in low light or when a driver wears sunglasses.

Philip Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, expressed concern over Tesla’s messaging, suggesting that the company is sending mixed signals about driver engagement. Tesla’s own guidelines state that both Autopilot and the more advanced FSD systems are designed for use by attentive drivers who are prepared to take control at any moment.

NHTSA documentation indicates that numerous Tesla crashes have involved drivers keeping their hands on the wheel while still failing to pay adequate attention. The agency has observed that many drivers misuse Autopilot, operating it in scenarios where its functionality is limited, leading to accidents despite warnings.

Investigation into Tesla’s automated systems began in June 2016 after a fatal incident involving a driver using Autopilot. Since then, NHTSA has investigated 35 crashes potentially linked to automated features, resulting in 19 fatalities.

Consumer Reports has evaluated Tesla’s monitoring capabilities, which change frequently with software updates. Initially, drivers could go up to three minutes without a warning if their hands were off the wheel, but this has since been reduced to as little as 15 seconds. However, the exact threshold for how long a driver can disconnect before the system reacts remains unclear.

Fisher noted that if Tesla disables the steering wheel reminder, it might shift to relying on camera monitoring instead, though this is not confirmed. Despite the naming of Autopilot and FSD suggesting full autonomy, Fisher contends that Tesla still expects drivers to remain engaged. The NTSB cautions that reliance on such systems may lead drivers to let their guard down.

Those using the FSD system should remain vigilant, Fisher advised, as the technology can produce unexpected results. “I wouldn’t dream of taking my hands off the wheel using that system,” he stated.

Koopman added that disabling the steering wheel reminder may not significantly increase safety risks, given the existing flaws in Tesla’s monitoring system.