Tesla recalls more than 2 million vehicles over autopilot safety issue

• Tesla recall of over 2 million vehicles.
• There are issues with the Autopilot system.
• They cars need a software update.

Tesla Motors has announced a massive recall of more than 2 million vehicles in the United States. This is to correct an issue with the autopilot system.

Specifically, it has to do with ensuring drivers are paying attention when the car is on Autopilot.

The company plans to install a software update to address the problems with the system.

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The recall of these vehicles follows an exhaustive investigation carried out over two years by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

It focused on a series of accidents that occurred while Tesla’s Autopilot system was activated, some of which were fatal.

According to reports by safety regulators, it was determined that the method used by Autopilot to ensure driver’s were paying attention is insufficient.

This could lead to incorrect and «foreseeable misuse of the system.»

The Tesla recall involves millions of cars

The recall will affect models Y, S, 3 and X that were manufactured between October 5, 2012 and December 7 of this year.

The software update will provide additional controls and alerts to encourage the driver to pay attention even when Autopilot is activated.

This update will restrict the use of Autosteer, a key function of Tesla’s Autopilot, limiting it to certain specific roads.

If the conditions to activate Autosteer are not met, the driver will be alerted through visual and auditory signals, automatically deactivating this function.

Additional safety measures

The recall documents also detail additional measures to prevent improper use of the system, according to The Associated Press.

These include increased prominence of visual alerts as well as simplified activation and deactivation of Autosteer.

If the driver does not demonstrate adequate driving responsibility the function will be automatically disabled.

Tesla has been in talks with the regulatory agency since October to address preliminary findings about deficiencies in the monitoring system.

The Tesla recall will include a software update to improve safety

Although the company disagreed with some of the agency’s assessments, it agreed to carry out the recall as part of its commitment to resolve this investigation.

This mass recall reflects the demands of auto safety advocates, who have been urging stricter regulation of the driver monitoring system.

Additionally, deficiencies have been pointed out in detecting driver attention, something that other automotive companies have addressed with the use of cameras.

Tesla emphasizes on its website that both Autopilot and its self-driving system are driver assists and require constant human supervision.

Regulation of surveillance systems

However, it has been observed that the surveillance system can be deceived, which has led to dangerous situations, including with absent or incapacitated drivers.

NHTSA has intensified its investigation into the safety of Tesla vehicles, in the face of at least 35 accidents since 2016 in which automated systems are suspected to have been in use.

These efforts are part of a broader investigation into the safety of electric vehicles, according to The Associated Press.

It has resulted in multiple recalls from the market and more rigorous examinations by regulatory authorities.