While tesla insists that its driving assistance technologies represent an important leap in terms of road safety, a recent investigation has once again put the focus on the limitations and challenges faced by its system Paunchy Self-Using (FSD).
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The controversy arises from a report prepared by Reuterswhich compiled testimonies from former company workers and opinions from road safety specialists. The result paints a much more complex picture than that usually presented by the American brand.
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The testimonies that reopen the debate
Part of the investigation is based on statements from people who directly participated in the training of man-made intelligence used by tesla. These employees reviewed recordings captured by vehicles equipped with FSD to identify errors and help improve the behavior of the tools.
According to the testimonies collected, The system continued to show difficulties in reacting correctly in situations that any advanced driving technology should handle reliably. These include emergency vehicles, construction zones, school buses, pedestrians, motorcyclists and even animals crossing the road.
Some former employees claimed to have observed recordings in which Tesla vehicles collided with dogs, cats or deer without performing a prior braking maneuver. They also mentioned episodes where driver intervention was necessary to avoid potentially serious incidents.
Statistics are also under the magnifying glass
Beyond the operation of the system, another point that generates controversy has to do with the figures that Tesla uses to support its safety claims.
The company has noted on several occasions that vehicles equipped with FSD or Autopilot travel significantly longer distances between accidents than the average American driver.. However, several experts consider that the comparisons used are not equivalent.
One of the questions points out that Tesla compares certain types of its own accidents with federal databases that include broader categories of accidents. This methodological difference could significantly alter the final results.
Specialists also highlight another relevant side. The average age of the Tesla vehicles analyzed is around 4.1 years, while the traditional vehicle fleet in the United States is close to 12.8 years old. This difference implies that Tesla models have more modern safety technologies than many of the vehicles used as a reference.
The driver is still essential
Despite its name, Paunchy Self-Using does not turn the car into a fully autonomous vehicle. Tesla continues to indicate in its official documentation that the driver must remain attentive at all times and be prepared to intervene when necessary.
That detail is important to understand the real scope of the technology. In practice, the system works as an advanced assistance tool and not as a complete substitute for the person behind the wheel.
The investigation also notes that some public Tesla demonstrations would have required substantial advance preparation. Former employees claimed that certain routes used to showcase the system’s capabilities were studied and adjusted for weeks or even months before being shown to the public.
The report’s conclusions do not mean that the FSD system lacks important advances. In fact, many specialists recognize that it is one of the most ambitious driving assistance technologies on the market.
However, questions about the way Tesla presents its statistics and the system’s ability to perform safely in all circumstances continue to generate debate.
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