Elon Musk has reportedly introduced “strict requirements” for potential Tesla buyers to receive a demonstration of the company’s “fully self-driving” technology before receiving their vehicle.
Musk’s directive is the latest sign of Tesla’s long-term bet on semi-autonomous driving software, which has been praised by the company’s fans and criticized for its marketing and potential risks to public safety. It has also come under intense scrutiny from questionable federal regulators. .
“Going forward, we will require customers in North America to install and activate FSD V12.3.1 and allow customers to take a short test drive before taking delivery of their vehicle,” Musk wrote in an email to employees on Monday. to CNBC.
“Very few people actually understand how well[supervised]FSD actually works. I know it slows down the shipping process, but it’s still a difficult requirement.” Musk added.
Tesla shares rose nearly 3.5% in early trading Tuesday.
Tesla sells full self-driving as an add-on to its vehicles. The software is available for $12,000 at purchase or a $199 monthly subscription.
Autopilot, a less advanced version of driver-assistance software, is installed by default on Tesla cars.
in Another X post on Monday night“All FSD-capable U.S. cars will be enabled on a one-month trial this week,” Musk wrote.
Tesla says on its website that both Autopilot and Full Self-Driving are “intended for use by fully alert drivers who have their hands on the wheel and are ready to take over driving at any time.” ing.
Neither product makes the vehicle fully autonomous.
Federal regulators have repeatedly expressed concerns about this software and its potential to be involved in fatal crashes.
In December, Tesla sent an over-the-air software update to nearly all of its cars sold in the U.S. that added “additional controls and warnings” to remind drivers to be careful when using Autopilot.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced at the time that it had investigated 956 crashes in which Autopilot was implicated as part of an ongoing investigation.
“In certain situations, when Autosteer is activated and the driver is not responsible for operating the vehicle and is not prepared to intervene if necessary, or when Autosteer is canceled or activated. Failure to recognize when it is not present can increase the risk of a crash,” NHTSA said in a release.
Mr. Musk and Mr. Tesla have aggressively pushed back against regulators. The company maintains that Autopilot and fully autonomous driving are safe when used properly and said it has a “moral obligation to continue improving what is already a best-in-class safety system.”
