Tesla software under investigation after collisions

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software on Thursday after the system was reportedly involved in four crashes, including one that killed a pedestrian. 

The agency said it is investigating the system’s “potential failure to detect and disengage in specific situations where it cannot adequately operate.”  

The four reported crashes occurred when FSD was engaged and the car encountered reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust, according to the NHTSA. In one of the crashes, a pedestrian was struck and killed. 

The investigation covers about 2.4 million Tesla vehicles, including most model years of the Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck. 

Tesla’s FSD software is meant to allow the car to operate with “minimal driver intervention,” although the electric vehicle maker’s website notes it does not make the car autonomous. 

The investigation comes one week after Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the company’s long-awaited robotaxi. The billionaire showed off a fleet of fully autonomous vehicles with no steering wheels or pedals at the highly choreographed event at Warner Bros. Studios. 

He argued the “Cybercab” would be safer than any human driver given that the artificial intelligence behind the robotaxi is trained on numerous cars and has more experience than a human ever could. 

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the NHTSA investigation.