In what could be a `game changer’ for auto-piloted self-driving cars, a fatal crash in the USA involving a Tesla S is under investigation.
It was reported this morning that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a US Traffic Safety Body, is conducting an investigation into 25,000 Tesla Motors Model S vehicles after a driver was killed whilst using the autopilot mode of one of these vehicles.
The NHTSA says that the Model S was operating with automated driving systems fully engaged, and has called for an `examination of the design and performance of any driving aids in use at the time of the crash’.
NHTSA confirmed in a statement, that the driver of the 2015 Model S was killed while operating in Autopilot mode in a crash on May 7 in Williston, Florida. It also said that preliminary reports indicate the vehicle crash occurred when a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front of the Tesla at an intersection.
The unfortunate root cause appears to have been that the size and colour of the trailer made it invisible to the Model S autopilot.
“Neither the Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied”, said Tesla in a company statement.
Tesla went on to say;
“The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact, caused the Model S to pass under the trailer”.
The bottom of the trailer hit the windshield of the Model S, killing the occupant.
Tesla also mentioned that the technology is improving all the time, however still requires the driver to remain alert.
“When used in conjunction with driver oversight, the data is unequivocal that Autopilot reduces driver workload and results in a statistically significant improvement in safety when compared to purely manual driving”, they said.
This is the first fatality in over 130 million miles of Auto-pilot use on a Tesla Model S, however depending on the findings of the NHTSA investigation, a recall on the model may be issued.
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