Tesla corners recalcitrant drivers into a virtual corner

We reported the other day that Mercedes scored a major victory over Tesla, as the German company’s cars were the first to receive a Level 3 self-driving permit after Germany, also in the US. In any case, Tesla is struggling with serious problems due to its Autopilot mode, which actually integrates the driver assistance systems of today’s modern cars, and its solution, which is also misleadingly called the Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode.

While the latter would in principle be suitable for level 3 self-driving – where under certain circumstances the driver can release the steering wheel, but must be ready to take control back on a signal from the car – however, experience shows that there are problems with the FSD. It has happened that a Tesla driver almost fell into a ravine due to an FSD error, while, according to a software safety expert, FSD simply does not detect children on the road, so it can easily cause an accident. It is important to note that Tesla explicitly allows drivers to use the software in beta, i.e. not in its final version, so they practically use live situations to test their software.

Practice shows that there are probably a lot of people who, despite the recommendations of the company, do not use these functions properly. This can also be judged by the fact that at the end of November last year, Tesla engineers, using a software update, ensured that their cars could no longer use fraudulent gadgets that deceive the system that controls the release of the steering wheel. The fact that such devices are still available today proves how much they are in demand.

As reported by InsideEVs, Tesla has chosen a new method of regulating recalcitrant owners that even a grumpy caregiver would envy. Going forward, those who use the FSD mode incorrectly will be banned from using it for two weeks.

The restriction comes into force specifically for those whose on-board computer disables self-driving functions at least five times. OUR Forced autopilot disengagementdespite its name, a phenomenon called FSD also affects the FSD mode, this happens when the system unsuccessfully warns the driver several times to take control, but the person does not respond. Of course, these five do not count if the driver himself takes control of the car from the computer, since in this case he does not act under duress.

Keep your hands on the steering wheel and keep your eyes on the road. The use of any handheld device while using the autopilot function is prohibited.

– says the description attached to the Tesla software update 2022.44.30.5. Again, the wording here is a bit misleading as the ban refers to the use of FSD.

By the way, the company is asking for $15,000 for the FSD feature. If it seems excessive to someone to limit the use of the extra 5.5 million for two weeks, it doesn’t hurt to know that this is a more lenient punishment. In the past, Tesla has simply barred recalcitrant drivers from using FSD, who weren’t even informed if they would even be able to use the deceptive self-driving mode again.

The use of the term “full self-driving” was specifically banned in California late last year. The regulation also prohibits other car manufacturers from using the similarly misleading name in car descriptions and promotional materials. Incidentally, this was already banned by the state’s motor vehicle inspection body, the DMV, but according to Democratic Senator Lena Gonzalez, who proposed the legislation, the fact that the DMV does not have the authority to enforce the law was a problem. that is why the decision came into force. By the way, last year a federal investigation was launched against Tesla for a similar reason: the Department of Justice sees the autopilot function as a way for Tesla to deceive consumers.

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