Summary Reader Response Draft #1

Tesla’s Autopilot system, which incorporates features such as Full Self-Driving (FSD), Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC), have several limitations that can make it dangerous for drivers. However, these features effectively alleviate the overall workload of the driver if utilized appropriately.

It is important to note that these features are not intended to replace the presence of the driver entirely. With that in mind, Autopilot and FSD capabilities are intended for use with a fully attentive driver who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment (Tesla, n.d.). This means that drivers must remain vigilant and ready to always take control of the vehicle. ADAS utilizes its eight external cameras and radar sensors to detect lane markings, other vehicles, and objects on the road. Thus, enabling the vehicle to steer, brake, and accelerate automatically with minimal input from the driver (Tesla, n.d.). TACC ensures that the vehicle maintains a safe distance from other vehicles by automatically adjusting its speed. FSD however, has even more features, with the aim being able to get from Point A to Point B with minimal driver intervention. It has traffic and stop sign control, which enables the car to distinguish between stop signs and traffic light. This automatically slows the car to a stop on approach, with the driver’s active supervision. Thus, Tesla’s autopilot system shows that it can enhance situational awareness and mitigate risks effectively. Moreover, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) released findings showing that the Autosteer component of Tesla’s Autopilot system reduced wrecks by 40%. The report stated that crashes dropped from 1.3 to 0.8 per million miles driven (CNN,2017). This is statistically significant evidence that supports the safety benefits of Tesla’s autopilot system. This is all feasible due to Tesla being able to collect billions of miles of real-world data from its global fleet. According to their vehicle safety report, over 9 billion miles have been driven with autopilot engaged (Tesla, n.d.). This allows Tesla to react to the various scenarios in which accidents can occur. Afterward, improvements can be tailor made to ensure each scenario can be mitigated with autopilot engaged.

However, there are limitations to Tesla’s autopilot system. One of them is that it is not a fully independent autonomous driving system. It can result in hiccups such as false collision warnings and slowdowns when encountering large vehicles such as trucks or trailers. For example, a fatal crash occurred in 2019 involving a father of three, when his Tesla Model 3 was on autopilot for just 10 seconds plunged into the underbelly of a tractor trailer. (Malathi and Sean, Bloomberg 2023). Such incidents can be a major safety concern for drivers who rely too heavily on the autopilot system and fail to remain alert. Furthermore, autopilot might not be able to detect certain objects or obstacles on the road, which can lead to accidents. It is known that Tesla fits its global fleet with special cameras, radar sensors and ultrasonic sensor around its cars' perimeter. Yet, the limitations can be seen where Tesla fails to utilise the latest technology available for assisted and automated driving, known as Lidar. (Cherise Threewitt, 2016). The use of radar technology simply verifies the lack of effort on Tesla’s side to ensure no faults on its autopilot system’s capabilities. Additionally, NHSTA, America’s top auto safety regulator, started gathering data after a federal order in 2021 forced automakers to reveal crashes that incorporate driver-assisted technology (Faiz and Jeremy, 2023). The collected data exhibits Tesla’s autopilot system being involved in more incidents than all other driver-assisted manufacturers combined (Faiz and Jeremy, 2023).

In conclusion, Tesla’s autopilot system can change the way we look at the automotive industry. While it has several cons such as limitations such as false collision warnings and slowdowns when encountering large vehicles and inefficient sensors, its pros stand out remarkably. The ability to reduce driver workload and enhance situational awareness has only proven to drop crash rates and enhance safety standards on the road. Overall, it is important for drivers to remain vigilant and ready to always take control of their vehicle when using autopilot.