Navigating the Unknown: The FSD Conundrum
Recurrent Glitches with Autonomous Driving System
An owner of a Tesla vehicle recently reported a disturbing malfunction with the company's advanced Full Self-Driving system. The individual stated that their car, equipped with FSD software version 14.2.2.4, inexplicably veered towards a body of water, specifically a boat ramp leading into a lake. The driver had to intervene manually to prevent the vehicle from proceeding into the water.
Documented Evidence of System's Flaw
The affected Tesla owner, Daniel Milligan, disseminated a video on social media, tagging prominent figures like Elon Musk and Tesla's VP of AI, Ashok Elluswamy. Milligan's post detailed the incident, emphasizing that the vehicle's erratic behavior was not isolated. He later provided an updated video, demonstrating the identical issue occurring again, even after setting a clear destination. This footage, taken from inside the car, underscored the system's consistent failure in that particular scenario, reinforcing the need for immediate driver action.
Industry Skepticism Amidst Ambitious Projections
The reported FSD issues have ignited further debate regarding the system's capabilities. Investor Ross Gerber of Gerber Kawasaki publicly criticized the FSD, labeling it as “annoying” and ineffective in certain environmental conditions, specifically sunny weather, while also using FSD version 14.2.2.4. Paradoxically, Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, continues to advocate for the company's leading position in autonomous vehicle technology, envisioning Tesla as operating the largest fleet of self-driving cars in the foreseeable future. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has already initiated an investigation into FSD technology, examining over 2.88 million Tesla vehicles following numerous reports of safety infractions and accidents, raising significant questions about the system's reliability and its readiness for widespread deployment.