Tesla takes a sigh of relief after the federal auto-safety regulators said that the company's Autopilot enabled cars need not be recalled. The investigation started after a fatal crash involving a Tesla Motors car operating in a computer-assisted mode.
Tesla always had high words for its technological superiority and the ability of the vehicles to prevent accidents. After the crash on May 7, 2016, the company was under pressure to prove itself right. The propaganda of the company toward autonomous vehicles seemed to have taken a side stand after the incident.
The system was first introduced in October 2015 by Tesla. This autopilot uses radar and cameras to scan the road for obstacles and other vehicles. The system can brake, accelerate and even pass other vehicles automatically. The system was so advanced that it can track lines on highways to stay within lanes, reported NY Times.
"Not all systems can do all things," said Bryan Thomas, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "There are driving scenarios that automatic emergency braking systems are not designed to address."
Though the company was cleared of any charges and did not require to take back the vehicles, the regulators warned that these kinds of technologies cannot be left to function on its own completely. The advanced driver-assistance systems are not reliable completely. A technology like Tesla's can react properly in only in certain situations that arise on roadways.
The investigation that Tesla underwent is a sign for the automakers to brace themselves while creating technologies where people expect 100 percent safety. This is a litmus test on how regulators would handle automated driving systems. In the worst case scenario, Tesla might have had to shelf its Autopilot technology, reported Bloomberg.
The lawmakers also warned the companies that they need to be clear about how the systems should be used. This is because, after Tesla ventured, most companies are now pursuing similar technology. Mercedes's advanced driver-assistance system is now featured in the new 2017 E-Class sedan. General Motors and Audi are also catching up on the technology.
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