![US agency seeks updated responses from Tesla in Autopilot probe](https://i-invdn-com.investing.com/trkd-images/LYNXMPEJ650CO_L.jpg)
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. auto security regulators stated on Thursday they’re looking for up to date responses and present knowledge for an ongoing probe into 830,000 Tesla (NASDAQ:) automobiles and the automaker’s superior driver help system Autopilot.
The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) despatched Tesla a letter on July 3 looking for updates to questions it had requested in August 2022 and is now demanding solutions by July 19, based on a duplicate of the letter made public by the company.
Tesla didn’t reply to a request for remark.
The company is investigating the efficiency of Autopilot after figuring out greater than a dozen crashes wherein Tesla automobiles struck stopped emergency automobiles. It’s also investigating whether or not Tesla automobiles adequately guarantee drivers are paying consideration when utilizing the driving force help system.
Autopilot is meant to allow automobiles to steer, speed up and brake routinely inside their lane, whereas enhanced Autopilot can help in altering lanes on highways. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Functionality Options permits automobiles to obey visitors indicators and cease indicators however doesn’t make them autonomous.
NHTSA has stated proof had raised questions concerning the effectiveness of Tesla’s alert technique, which seeks to compel driver consideration.
The company stated in 2022 9 of 11 automobiles in prior crashes exhibited no driver engagement, or visible or chime alerts, till the final minute previous a collision, whereas 4 confirmed no visible or chime alerts in any respect throughout the remaining Autopilot use cycle.
The letter asks for updates on all Tesla modifications associated to driver engagement or attentiveness.
In June 2022, NHTSA upgraded the probe it first opened in August 2021 to an engineering evaluation – a required step earlier than it might probably demand a recall.
NHTSA beforehand sought details about cabin digital camera – a digital camera positioned above the rear view mirror – that Tesla says can decide driver inattentiveness and supply audible alerts to remind the driving force to maintain their eyes on the highway when Autopilot is engaged.
The brand new letter, asks for knowledge on the variety of automobiles with “Tesla Imaginative and prescient” – outfitted with cameras solely and never radar – and if automobiles have the cabin digital camera system.
Since 2016, NHTSA has opened 40 Tesla particular crash investigations the place superior driver help programs resembling Autopilot had been suspected of getting used with 20 crash deaths reported.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated in Could there are actual considerations concerning the interplay between Autopilot and drivers.