A recent crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck operating in self-driving mode has raised concerns about the reliability of the company's software powering this feature. The incident occurred shortly after CEO Elon Musk announced plans to introduce a paid robotaxi service later this year.
The Tesla pickup, equipped with the latest Full Self-Driving feature, failed to change lanes as required, ultimately colliding with a pole after hitting a curb in Reno, Nevada. The driver, Jonathan Challinger, urged others not to be complacent and to remain attentive while using the technology.
According to a police report reviewed by Reuters, the driver attributed the crash to undisclosed mechanical issues that led to the vehicle veering out of its lane. Tesla has long been scrutinized for the safety of its autonomous driving system, facing scrutiny and investigations following previous accidents, including a fatal one.
While Musk has highlighted significant safety enhancements in Tesla's software, concerns persist within the industry. Autonomous vehicle specialists caution that current technology struggles with intricate road scenarios like lane merges and sudden layout changes due to the lack of human-like cognitive adaptability.
Tesla has yet to comment on the crash incident. Musk aims to initiate the robotaxi service in Texas initially, with plans to expand to other regions like California. The success of this venture is crucial for Tesla amid a slowdown in demand for its existing electric vehicle models.
Unlike traditional automakers employing redundant safety measures, Tesla's reliance on camera-based systems for autonomous driving, while cost-effective, poses risks in adverse weather conditions. Recent events have highlighted challenges with Tesla's Full Self-Driving software, especially concerning nighttime detection, data mapping, and its vision-based approach.
Some experts, such as researcher Troy Teslike, have expressed doubts about the readiness of Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology for fully autonomous operation, given its current limitations.