Tesla FSD Scrutiny Grows as NHTSA and NTSB Investigate Fatal Crash

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened investigations into a fatal crash involving a Tesla vehicle equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.

The crash, which occurred in Texas, has gained national attention, with Tesla sharing a different account of the events than the driver's initial statement. Ashok Elluswamy, vice president of AI software at Tesla, claimed that the driver manually overrode the FSD system, but the investigation may reveal further details.

"The driver manually overrode 'self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100% of the accel pedal in this residential area,'" Elluswamy said on X.

This increased scrutiny comes as Tesla positions itself as an AI and robotics company, with FSD being a key revenue-generating product.

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Fleet and Partnerships

Waymo has been expanding its robotaxi fleet and partnerships, with a recent supplier deal with Zeekr to provide electric vehicles designed for robotaxis. The minivan-like robotaxi was designed in Sweden and manufactured in China, with Waymo adding its self-driving system to the vehicles.

• Waymo is on pace to import 3,156 vehicles into the U.S. this year, according to a research report by MoffettNathanson.
• The company has partnered with CaoCao and May Mobility to explore commercializing robotaxi services in international markets, starting with Europe.
• Waymo has set up an entity in Germany, which may indicate its plans to launch a robotaxi service in the country, although insiders say it's not imminent.

Other News and Developments

• Lucid Motors is laying off 18% of its workforce, or around 1,500 employees, and cutting the second shift of EV production at its factory in Casa Grande, Arizona.
• Lyft has implemented a multi-sensor safety standard for autonomous rides, which means vehicles using only one type of sensor won't qualify for the Lyft network.
• OpenAI has hired Uber India president Prabhjeet Singh as its first managing director.
• Polestar can no longer sell its new cars in the U.S. market due to a U.S. government law banning Chinese connected car technology.

Conclusion

The scrutiny of Tesla's FSD system grows as the NHTSA and NTSB investigate a fatal crash. Meanwhile, Waymo expands its robotaxi fleet and partnerships, and other companies face challenges and developments in the autonomous vehicle space.