What Tesla's Recall of Almost 54,000 Self-Driving Cars Means for the Future of Autonomous Vehicles
Tesla had to recall vehicles from beta-testing customers after baking an illegal maneuver into its autonomous technology. Could this spell the end for Full Self-Driving?
’s attempt at introducing fully autonomous driving has met more than a few bumps in the road. Since the company released its “Full Self-Driving” software to customers, it’s been hammered by unflattering headlines.
From critics and regulators taking aim at the program’s deceptive name to rumors of fatal accidents involving Teslas in self-driving mode, the EV leader has been accused of being reckless in its attempts to push the technological boundaries of the auto industry.
Now, Tesla has been forced to recall nearly 54,000 vehicles after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that the automaker’s semi-autonomous driving software is programmed to conduct “rolling stops” under certain conditions.
Tesla’s rolling-stop problem
Most of us do it. We drive toward a four-way stop with clear visibility in all directions. Seeing that we’re the only vehicle in sight, we conduct a technically illegal maneuver—the rolling stop. A little innocent rule-breaking never hurt anyone, we tell ourselves.
Well, that’s basically what Tesla told itself, too, when its software engineers programmed the time-saving decision into its Full Self-Driving Mode. But in so doing, the company broke the number-one rule of rule-breaking—don’t get caught.
According to documents from NHTSA, the Teslas beta-testing the company’s new software will allow the car to drive up to 5.6 mph through four-way stop signs if it doesn’t detect any other vehicles at the intersection, a move that’s illegal in every state.
MORE: Does Tesla's 'Safety Score' Really Show if You're Driving Safely?
Full Self-Driving Mode is the latest step in bring full automation to private transportation, but Tesla has its fingers in other autonomous-transport pies as well.
In 2019, CEO Elon Musk said he expected the company to have fully autonomous taxis on U.S. streets by the end of the following year. That clearly didn’t happen, but the EV industry leader isn’t the only company with plans to produce autonomous commercial vehicles.
Programs are underway in a wide range of companies, from Silicon Valley giants like Waymo and Uber to auto industry staples like GM.
For many of these companies, tech development and financial backing are well on their way. At this point, government regulation seems to be the only thing holding them back.
Will car insurance manage to keep up with all this change?
MORE: Malcolm Gladwell Isn't Afraid of an Autonomous Vehicle Future
Regulators have to make sure these autonomous vehicles are safe before allowing them on the road, but they also have to figure out the question of liability in the unfortunate scenario where an accident does happen.
The answer to that question could have a profound effect on
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