NTSB Questions If Motorists Are Too Distracted To Monitor Their Self Driving Vehicles

After partially faulting Tesla Inc.’s automation system for a 2016 fatal crash, U.S. safety investigators last year called on carmakers to do more to ensure drivers stay engaged as next-generation cars start to steer themselves.

Since then, the National Transportation Safety Board has opened investigations of three new cases -- two of them involving Tesla vehicles -- that call into question the progress that’s been made in guarding against motorist misuse of semi-autonomous driving technology.

Tesla, a pioneer in driver-assistance technology with its Autopilot system, has lagged behind automakers including General Motors in embracing driver monitoring. While the electric-car maker still relies on technology that federal investigators said was too easy to sidestep, it’s now working on unspecified improvements to its vehicles, according to the NTSB.

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TheSteve - 4/11/2018 1:37:27 PM

+3 Boost

If the person behind the wheel *believes* the system offers flawless Level-5 autonomy, then they'll be lulled into a false sense of security and do stupid things. We already have documented cases of this.

Agent009 - 4/11/2018 2:07:00 PM

+3 Boost

The bigger problem is they THINK it is level 5 and it is ONLY level 2. No one reads the owners manual, anymore so they don't really know what they have. Dealers want to make a sale, and wouldn't dare tell the new owner this self driving car you just bought must be monitored at all times.

Terms like "Autopilot" and "Autonomous" are very misleading. In reality they should be using "Drivers Assisted" or "Semi-Autonomous".

That's my two cents

TomM - 4/11/2018 3:12:31 PM

+3 Boost

I have said before - AND I will continue to do so - that this problem is actually a liability and INSURANCE problem -and I still do not expect True Autonomous vehicles (Especially with NO steering wheel or brake pedals) to become available for a while until this legal problem is solved.

I am sure that manufacturers do NOT want to created tens of thousands of potential lawsuits over autonomous "features" - that would require them to have legal representation almost every time a "problem" or "accident" happens - but right now - there is NOTHING that I see happening that will transfer liability for "software" problems to the OWNER/DRIVER of the car EXCEPT a requirement to be available to take over in case of an emergency - and even then - people will still sue the manufacturers. I do not see what a Manufacturer can require a car buyer to SIGN that would transfer this liability

PUGPROUD - 4/11/2018 2:16:12 PM

0 Boost

Judging by the people in my rear view mirror, no more distracted than people in non-autonomous vehicles! Drives me nuts to see them behind me looking down.

Vette71 - 4/11/2018 7:10:53 PM

+1 Boost

It has to be boring as all get out to have to "monitor" a machine that does all the work just in case it errs. With a society that prides itself on multi-tasking doing something else more stimulating or needing to be done will likely win out over the monitoring task. Hence the accidents we see. Its human nature.

MDarringer - 4/11/2018 9:02:00 PM

+1 Boost

It's time to put a moratorium on self-driving cars for 10 years.