What's happened
The NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation into Tesla's 'Actually Smart Summon' feature after multiple crash reports. Tesla has not reported these incidents, raising concerns about the safety of its autonomous driving technology. The investigation covers approximately 2.6 million vehicles equipped with this feature.
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Investigation Scope
- The NHTSA is evaluating about 2.6 million Tesla vehicles.
- Focus on the 'Actually Smart Summon' feature and its crash incidents.
Safety Concerns
- Reports indicate vehicles failed to detect obstacles, leading to crashes.
- Users had insufficient reaction time to prevent accidents.
Regulatory Implications
- Tesla's failure to report incidents raises regulatory scrutiny.
- Potential for stricter regulations on autonomous vehicle technologies.
Market Impact
- Tesla shares dropped over 4% following the news.
- Ongoing scrutiny may affect consumer confidence in Tesla's technology.
What the papers say
According to TechCrunch, the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation received complaints about Tesla's 'Actually Smart Summon' feature, noting that vehicles failed to detect parked cars, resulting in crashes. The Independent highlights that Tesla has not reported any of these incidents, which is a violation of regulatory requirements. AP News adds that the NHTSA is also investigating previous incidents involving Tesla's Full Self-Driving system, indicating a broader concern about the safety of Tesla's autonomous technologies. Ars Technica emphasizes the implications of Tesla's lack of reporting, stating that it could lead to increased regulatory oversight. Bloomberg confirms the NHTSA's preliminary evaluation of the feature, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
How we got here
Tesla's 'Actually Smart Summon' was released in September 2024, allowing users to command their vehicles via a smartphone app. The NHTSA's investigation follows previous probes into Tesla's Full Self-Driving system after reports of crashes, including one fatal incident.
Common question
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