Cartoon Prank Breaks Tesla

The question of whether Tesla disables its driver assistance systems seconds before a crash has become a topic of active discussion and debate, especially following a recent video published by Mark Rober on YouTube. In this video, he demonstrated the shortcomings of the Autopilot technology, pointing out that Tesla uses a limited set of sensors, primarily relying on visual cameras.

Most other vehicles with similar (or lesser) capa

bilities rely on a combination of cameras, short-range ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, and even lidar to map their surroundings in real-time and respond to other vehicles, pedestrians, and road conditions. Tesla has opted out of much of this in favor of a cheaper and simpler set of visual cameras. You don’t need to be an engineer to assume that this isn’t a very good idea, considering that cameras face the same fundamental limitations as human eyes: they cannot "see" well through fog, rain, snow, or dirt—especially if any of this obstructs the camera lens itself. This raises serious concerns, particularly in poor visibility conditions such as fog, rain, or snow, when cameras may struggle to recognize objects on the road.

In Rober's experiment, the Model Y failed to recognize a fake wall created for testing and crashed into it, highlighting the system's vulnerability. This clearly demonstrates that cameras, like human eyes, have their limitations and can be deceived by optical illusions. Unlike Tesla, many other cars with similar features use more sophisticated systems that include radars and lidars, which can more effectively map the environment and respond to potential threats.

An investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed alarming data: in 16 crashes involving Tesla vehicles, the Autopilot was engaged but disabled less than a second before the collision. This finding raises questions about whether the system is programmed to disengage before a crash to avoid liability for incidents. Skeptics argue that this could be an attempt by the company to shift blame onto drivers, claiming they were in control of the vehicle at the moment of impact.

However, there is currently no evidence that the Autopilot's disengagement is malicious. In most cases, according to the NHTSA report, the Autopilot activated forward collision warnings and emergency braking systems, indicating that drivers were not completely deprived of time to react. In 11 of the 16 crashes, drivers took no action 2-5 seconds before the collision, which may suggest that they, like the Autopilot, did not recognize the impending threat.

It is important to note that the Autopilot, despite its name, is a driver assistance feature and is intended to be used under the driver's supervision. This means that even if the Autopilot disengages before a collision, the driver must still be attentive and monitor what is happening on the road. If the Autopilot continued to operate until the moment of impact, it would not absolve the driver of responsibility for operating the vehicle.

Nevertheless, the situation is complicated by the fact that Tesla has repeatedly marketed Autopilot in a way that makes its capabilities seem more advanced than they actually are. This has created a false impression among many users that the system can function as fully autonomous driving. As a result, the company has come under pressure to clarify its marketing materials and emphasize the need for driver attentiveness.

Regarding the Autopilot's disengagement just before a collision, this could be part of a standard safety protocol that activates when the system predicts an inevitable crash. Many modern vehicles are equipped with features that take precautions just before an accident, such as tightening seat belts or shutting off fuel lines. However, without clear explanations from Tesla, many questions remain about why the Autopilot disengages at critical moments.

The NHTSA investigation is ongoing, and its findings could significantly impact the future of Autopilot technology and its regulation. In 2023, the NHTSA already found that Tesla's systems for monitoring driver engagement while Autopilot was active were inadequate, leading to a recall of vehicles to improve these systems. Questions about safety and liability in the context of using Autopilot remain relevant, and further research may help clarify the situation.