Skip advert
Advertisement

Tesla, US authorities investigating first fatality under autonomous Autopilot system

Fatality is first in 130 million autonomous miles - but is sure to prompt concerns about the abilities of such systems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association – an American government branch that writes and enforces federal safety standards – has opened preliminary investigations into a crash in which a driver was killed using Tesla’s Autopilot autonomous-driving system.

It’s the first known fatality of an occupant using the system and is sure to prompt a deeper look into how such autonomous functions are used – particularly as autonomous and semi-autonomous systems are increasingly seen as the future of day-to-day driving.

Advertisement - Article continues below

According to a statement on Tesla’s blog, the accident was caused by a heavy goods vehicle driving across the path of the driver's Tesla Model S, unnoticed by either the driver nor the Autopilot system.

The cameras were unable to identify the white side of the trailer against a bright sky so didn’t apply the brakes, and due to the high sides of the trailer the Model S passed partly underneath.

Further details are unclear at this stage – including why the vehicle's other detection systems, including radar, were unable to pick up the lorry's presence.

The company has stressed – as it always has for the Autopilot system – that the technology remains in its public beta phase and is still considered an assist feature, rather than a fully autonomous drive mode.

tech

As a result, drivers using the system are presented a warning when they activate it, that they must keep their hands on the steering wheel ‘at all times’ and be prepared to take over ‘at any time’. Should a driver fail to keep their hands on the wheel, the car will gradually slow down until a ‘hands-on’ state is detected.

Tesla has also attempted to play down any safety issues inherent to the system, noting that it’s the first known fatality in 130 million miles of autonomous driving – compared to an average of 94 million miles among all vehicles in the United States and 60 million miles worldwide.

Nevertheless, it’s sure to lead to greater emphasis on Tesla’s part that drivers using Autopilot must be ready to take control at any time – as well as continual software improvements to ensure that the car can still recognise potential dangers even in extreme circumstances.

We’d also expect existing autonomous driving laws – which, like the technology, are still in a very early state of development – to place more emphasis on drivers maintaining control until the technology itself has advanced sufficiently. There’s little doubt that many drivers are still more fallible than the tech, but like any new function, autonomous driving capabilities will come under increasing scrutiny before they’re ready for the mainstream.

Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk has joined his company in extending condolences to the driver’s family and friends.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

​Volkswagen ID.3 review: a more subtle, more expensive Cupra Born
Volkswagen ID.3 – front
Reviews

​Volkswagen ID.3 review: a more subtle, more expensive Cupra Born

The ID.3 has been updated to address some of its key weak points, but better-value rivals have caught up
26 Mar 2024
2025 Audi e-tron GT to get 1000bhp RS model
2025 Audi e-tron GT
News

2025 Audi e-tron GT to get 1000bhp RS model

The all-electric Audi e-tron GT will benefit from the upgrades its Porsche Taycan relative has just received, including a 1000bhp RS model
22 Mar 2024
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N 2024 review – the most engaging EV yet
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Reviews

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N 2024 review – the most engaging EV yet

Hyundai has used every trick in the book – and written a few new ones – to make the Ioniq 5 N fun to drive. The results are truly impressive
20 Mar 2024
Kia EV9 2024 review – a Range Rover on a budget?
Kia EV9 – front
Reviews

Kia EV9 2024 review – a Range Rover on a budget?

Need an electric seven-seater with a 300+ mile range? Right now, the answer is Kia's EV9.
20 Mar 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024