Experts and Lawmakers Express Concerns
Matthew Wansley, a professor at the Cardozo School of Law in New York who specializes in emerging automotive technologies, criticized the recall, stating that allowing Autopilot to be used on roads with cross traffic is a fundamental flaw. Senator Richard Blumenthal also expressed dissatisfaction, calling the update “far from sufficient.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted an investigation, finding that Autopilot’s key Autosteer feature might not have sufficient controls to prevent driver misuse. Tesla disagrees with the agency’s findings but has still begun rolling out remote software updates.
Regulatory Response and Tesla’s Statement
Blumenthal argued that regulators should have imposed more significant changes to the software, given Tesla’s history of crashes. Concerns were raised regarding NHTSA’s handling of the situation, given Tesla’s influence and popularity among consumers. However, the agency confirmed that its investigation into Autopilot remains open.
In response to a report on Autopilot crashes, Tesla emphasized its commitment to improving safety systems and the importance of making these features accessible to a wider consumer base.
Recall Details and Criticism
The recall includes a software update with new controls, alerts, and additional checks to prevent inappropriate use of the features outside controlled-access highways. However, Tesla has not explicitly stated that it will restrict Autopilot to its Operational Design Domain, disappointing critics.
Dan O’Dowd, a Tesla critic and founder of the Dawn Project advocacy group, believes the recall does not go far enough. Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), expressed satisfaction with NHTSA’s action but criticized the seven-year delay following the first known Autopilot fatality. Tesla CEO Elon Musk argued that using the term “recall” for software updates is outdated.
Investor Response and Future Outlook
Following the recall announcement, Tesla’s stock briefly dipped but ultimately rebounded. Gene Munster, a managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, predicts that the recall will not impede Tesla’s pursuit of an autonomous future. Representative Anna G. Eshoo described the recall as “jaw-dropping” and emphasized the need for Tesla to take the issue seriously.
Ongoing Concerns and Industry Comparison
Homendy highlighted the NTSB’s consistent findings of issues with Tesla’s approach to driver-assistance. While other automakers include similar software, Tesla’s Autopilot crashes have faced greater scrutiny from federal agencies.
As investigations continue, stakeholders remain focused on addressing the concerns raised by experts and lawmakers regarding the limitations and potential risks of Tesla’s Autopilot technology.