Electric vehicle giant Tesla is facing renewed safety concerns over its Autopilot system after an independent German expert was forced to terminate a test drive due to hazardous situations on the highway. The vehicle's assistance systems reportedly exhibited recurrent errors, including sudden braking without apparent cause, endangering both the test driver and other road users.
Test Drive Reveals Significant Flaws
As part of a legal dispute involving a Tesla Model 3, an independent expert was commissioned to assess the functionality of Tesla's Autopilot. During a 700-kilometer journey primarily on highways, systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were put to the test. Instead of enhancing safety and driving comfort as intended, the test uncovered serious issues.
"Vision Only" Strategy Faces Criticism
Since late 2022, Tesla has implemented a "Vision Only" approach, relying solely on camera systems while removing radars and ultrasonic sensors. This shift has stirred controversy within the automotive industry, with many experts emphasizing the importance of combining various sensors for reliable autonomous driving.
Five Dangerous Incidents in One Trip
Throughout the test, the vehicle encountered five unpredictable events requiring driver intervention. Four incidents were managed through quick reactions, but the fifth prompted an immediate halt to the test. The car behaved erratically without warning, potentially leading to serious traffic accidents.
Sudden Deceleration from 140 km/h to 96 km/h
The most critical moment occurred when the Tesla, with Autopilot engaged, was traveling at 140 km/h in the left lane of a three-lane highway. Without any obvious reason, the vehicle abruptly slowed down to 96 km/h. This unexpected maneuver caused chaos among other drivers, who had to execute emergency braking and evasive actions to avoid collisions.
Test Drive Terminated for Safety Reasons
Following this incident, the expert decided to end the test immediately. In his report, he stated, "Continuing to test this vehicle in regular road traffic without closed highways was not possible for safety reasons."
Implications for Trust in Autonomous Technology
This event reignites the debate over the safety of autonomous vehicles and the strategies employed by companies like Tesla. If assistance systems can create such dangerous situations, there is a pressing need to reassess the approach to their development and implementation.
Tesla now faces increased pressure from regulatory bodies and the public. Road safety is of utmost importance, making it essential for autonomous driving technologies to be not only innovative but also reliable and secure.
Source: t3n.de
