On 07 May 2016, a Telsa Model S was involved in a fatal crash, while in Autopilot.1,2 NHTSA began an investigation on 28 June 2016, & made its report available just 2 days ago.
Final report on Autopilot issued by @NHTSAgov is very positive https://t.co/KsOZSrr3l9
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 19, 2017
Update 24 January – link to the NHTSA report in the tweet above, is fixed.
NHTSA summary of their findings concluded:
“A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further examination of this issue does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances. For more information about the analysis, see the attached report.”
Despite the careful language in the quote above, Figure 11 from the NHTSA report (below) makes a strong case for Autopilot, & Autosteer in particular:
Credit: NHTSA/Electrek
Which Elon Musk subsequently described with a quote from the NHTSA report:
Report highlight: “The data show that the Tesla vehicles crash rate dropped by almost 40 percent after Autosteer installation.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 19, 2017
Electrek – “Tesla’s crash rate was reduced by 40% after introduction of Autopilot based on data reviewed by NHTSA”
https://electrek.co/2017/01/19/tesla-crash-rate-autopilot-nhtsa/
Wired – “After Probing Tesla’s Deadly Crash, Feds Say Yay to Self-Driving”
https://www.wired.com/2017/01/probing-teslas-deadly-crash-feds-say-yay-self-driving/?mbid=nl_12017_p4&CNDID=
Bloomberg – “Tesla’s Autopilot Vindicated With 40% Drop in Crashes”, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-19/tesla-s-autopilot-vindicated-with-40-percent-drop-in-crashes
__________
1 Hitchhiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Tesla driver dies in Autopilot crash”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/tesla-driver-dies-in-autopilot-crash.html
2 Hitchhiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Tesla Autopilot death – was the driver watching a movie?”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/tesla-autopilot-death-was-driver.html / reported NHTSA closing investigation fatal accident Tesla Autopilot without finding defect issuing recall access full report interesting key findings crash Tesla’s Autopilot agency reviewed data indicates Tesla’s crash rate reduced by 40% after Autopilot Autosteer feature introduced enabled Autosteer main feature Autopilot system enables vehicle steer itself certain conditions NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation ODI reviewed crash rate data Tesla’s vehicles before and after introduction Autosteer ODI analyzed mileage airbag deployment data supplied Tesla MY 2014 through 2016 Model S 2016 Model X vehicles equipped Autopilot Technology Package installed vehicle when sold through OTA update calculate crash rates miles traveled prior after Autopilot installation conclusion the data show Tesla vehicles crash rate dropped almost 40 percent after Autosteer installation 1.3 crashes per million miles before Autosteer 0.8 crashes after Autosteer data particularly interesting context debate between going directly fully autonomous cars gradually more autonomous vehicles leading full autonomy Tesla other automakers argument transition between autonomy manual control dangerous Tesla’s argument reduces number accidents used properly data appears to confirm NHTSA’s general probe Tesla’s Autopilot system agency specific accident prompted investigation interesting finding crash itself NHTSA did crash reconstruction claims indicates that tractor trailer should have been visible Tesla driver at least seven seconds prior to impact report’s main conclusion Autopilot ADAS system require continual full attention driver monitor traffic environment prepared take action avoid crashes agency reviewed Tesla’s customer-facing literature Autopilot concluded Tesla provided information about system limitations owner’s manuals user interface associated warnings alerts driver monitoring system intended aid driver remaining engaged driving task all times NHTSA urges drivers read all instructions and warnings before using driver assist systems /
