By The newspaper
Aug 30, 2023, 22:15 PM EDT
US authorities are launching an investigation into Tesla vehicles over allegations of a hidden setup.
This configuration allows drivers to operate their autopilot and fully autonomous driving (FSD) systems without meeting the requirement to keep hands on the wheel.
Documents recently released by the National Highway Safety Administration (Nhtsa) reveal that the agency has demanded documents related to Tesla’s Autopilot feature.
The Nhtsa documents reveal that in July, the agency asked Tesla’s legal department to provide all relevant documents regarding the Autopilot system.
A special order required the presentation of these documents before August 25. Failure to comply could result in daily fines of up to $26,315. Neither Tesla nor Nhtsa have confirmed whether Tesla has complied with the agency’s demand.
The Nhtsa has revealed that Tesla introduced a setting of the Autopilot and FSD systems that allows drivers to operate their vehicles without applying force to the wheel for extended periods.
The existence of this setting, often referred to as “Elon mode,” was brought to light by a social media user known as @greentheonly in June. The Nhtsa expressed concern that this configuration would be more widely known to the public, which could lead to misuse.
Car manufacturers equipped with driving assistance systems, such as autopilot, must install mechanisms that ensure drivers keep their hands on the wheel for safety reasons.
While no system currently allows for fully autonomous driving without driver interaction, Tesla and CEO Elon Musk have suggested that Autopilot and FSD possess such capabilities.
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