Tesla's Autopilot Under Fire Are We Really Ready to Cede Control

Capitol Concerns Car Edition

Well folks seems like even in the shiny tech filled world of Panem… I mean *ahem* Tesla things aren't always as they seem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is turning up the heat on Tesla’s 'Full Self Driving' (FSD) system. Apparently this 'FSD' isn't so full of smarts when it comes to fog glaring sun or you know anything less than a perfectly clear day. Makes you wonder if they tested it outside the pristine labs of the Capitol... err California.

3.2 Million Reasons to Worry

This isn't some small scale hiccup either. We're talking about 3.2 million vehicles – Model S X 3 Y and even those futuristic Cybertrucks that look like they belong in a hovercraft race. The issue? The NHTSA says the FSD system might fail to 'detect and/or warn the driver appropriately under degraded visibility conditions.' Sounds like a fancy way of saying it can't see in the dark or when it's foggy. You know basic driving conditions. If you want to know more about other car related topics check out Peloton Hits the Gym Floor My Take on Their Bold Expansion

Blind Spots and Fatal Errors

The investigation has been bumped up to an 'engineering analysis' after complaints piled up. Turns out in some crashes the system 'did not detect common roadway conditions that impaired camera visibility and/or provide alerts when camera performance had deteriorated until immediately before the crash occurred.' And here’s the kicker: one of these incidents involved a Tesla driver using FSD who struck and killed a pedestrian. As Peeta would say 'Always.' Always be aware of your surroundings folks especially when you're entrusting your life to a computer.

The Capitol's Deafening Silence

Of course Tesla hasn’t exactly been rushing to comment. Silence can be deafening. It makes you wonder what they're hiding or if they're just busy trying to figure out how to blame the weather. Remember what Haymitch always told me 'That's how you survive. You don't.' ... Unless they start answering questions.

Who's Really Driving

All this raises a bigger question doesn't it? How much control are we willing to hand over to machines? Are we so eager to embrace the latest tech that we're willing to overlook potential dangers? I've faced enough life or death situations to know that trusting your instincts is sometimes the only thing that keeps you alive. And right now my instincts are screaming 'Proceed with Caution.'

A Rebellion Against Complacency

So what's the takeaway? Stay vigilant. Don't blindly trust technology especially when lives are on the line. And maybe just maybe remind these tech giants that we the people are the ones who ultimately decide what risks we're willing to take. After all a little rebellion never hurt anyone... except maybe President Snow. And if we don't act who knows what kind of dystopian future we might be driving towards?