Tesla faces intensifying NHTSA probe of 'Full Self-Driving' in reduced visibility

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has significantly ramped up its investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, as revealed in recent filings from the agency. This inquiry is focused on potential safety issues that could pose risks for drivers in low visibility conditions, such as fog or harsh sunlight. Launched last year, the investigation encompasses approximately 3.2 million Tesla vehicles, which includes the Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and the upcoming Cybertruck. All these models are equipped with the FSD driver assistance capabilities. According to the agency's findings, there are concerns that the FSD system may fail to adequately recognize and alert drivers to danger in situations where visibility is compromised due to glare or other obstructions. The NHTSA noted that in certain accidents, the FSD technology did not identify critical roadway conditions that could hinder camera performance, nor did it issue warnings until just moments before collisions. This has led to a transition of the probe into an 'engineering analysis', following numerous reports of incidents where FSD was active within 30 seconds prior to a crash. Among these is a tragic case involving a pedestrian fatality caused by a driver utilizing the FSD feature. Tesla has yet to provide a comment regarding the ongoing investigation, leaving many to speculate about the implications of these findings on the future of its autonomous driving technology.