US regulators expanded a probe into Tesla's "Autopilot" system, moving the investigation closer to a potential recall of a controversial feature in Elon Musk's electric vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is
investigating whether "Autopilot and associated Tesla systems may
exacerbate human factors or behavioural safety risks by undermining the
effectiveness of the driver's supervision," according to a summary
statement.
The agency now considers the probe an "engineering
analysis" — which in NHTSA parlance upgrades the status from a
"preliminary evaluation" — to determine "whether a safety recall
should be initiated or the investigation should be closed."
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NHTSA opened the probe in August 2021 after identifying 11
crashes involving a first responder vehicle and a Tesla in which Autopilot or
Traffic Aware Cruise Control was engaged, and five additional cases were later
found that fit into this group.
Additional forensic data on 11 of the incidents showed the
drivers took no action to avert a crash between two and five seconds prior to
impact, although they had their hands on the steering wheel.
The agency also probed more than 100 crashes not involving
an emergency vehicle in which Tesla Autopilot or another driver-assistance
system was engaged.
In about half of these cases, evidence suggests the driver
was "insufficiently responsive" to driving conditions, NHTSA said.
Looking at a subset of 43 of those crashes that yielded more
detailed data, NHTSA determined that in 37, the driver's hands were on the
steering wheel in the last second prior to the collision.
The automaker has defended the safety of the Autopilot
feature, and say when used correctly it reduces the chance of an accident.
But NHTSA said, "A driver's use or misuse of vehicle
components ... does not necessarily preclude a system defect" particularly
"if the driver behavior in question is foreseeable in light of the
system's design."