‘Deeply disturbing’ video appears to show a Tesla in full self-driving mode repeatedly running over a child-sized mannequin in ‘controlled test conditions’
- Video claims to show a self-driving Tesla running over child-sized mannequin
- Safety group The Dawn Project said this was during ‘controlled test conditions’
- It has launched a new ad campaign in US to highlight dangers of Tesla software
- MailOnline has approached Tesla for a comment about the footage of the test
A ‘deeply disturbing’ video claims to show a Tesla in full self-driving mode running over a child-size mannequin during a test by a safety campaign group.
The Dawn Project said the vehicle failed to detect the stationary dummy’s presence in the road and hit it over and over again at an average speed of 25mph.
It claims that the experiment was carried out under ‘controlled conditions’ on a test track in California.
Tesla, which was founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has been approached for a comment by MailOnline but is yet to respond to the video.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that it ‘currently has an open and active investigation of Tesla’s Autopilot active driver assistance system’.
A spokesperson said this included the full self driving software and that the agency ‘considers all relevant data and information that may assist its investigation’.
‘Deeply disturbing’: A video claims to show a Tesla in full self-driving mode running over a child-size mannequin during a test by a safety campaign group
The Dawn Project said the vehicle hit the stationary dummy over and over again at an average speed of 25mph and failed to detect its presence in the road
Tesla, which was founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has been approached by MailOnline but is yet to respond to the video
TESLA AUTOPILOT: CAMERAS AND SENSORS LET THE CAR SEE THE ROAD
Autopilot uses cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar to see and sense the environment around the car.
The sensor and camera suite provides drivers with an awareness of their surroundings that a driver alone would not otherwise have.
A powerful onboard computer processes these inputs in a matter of milliseconds to help what the company say makes driving ‘safer and less stressful.’
Autopilot is a hands-on driver assistance system that is intended to be used only with a fully attentive driver.
It does not turn a Tesla into a self-driving car nor does it make a car autonomous.
Before enabling Autopilot, driver must agree to ‘keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times’ and to always ‘maintain control and responsibility for your car.’
Once engaged, if insufficient torque is applied, Autopilot will also deliver an escalating series of visual and audio warnings, reminding drivers to place their hands on the wheel.
Any of Autopilot’s features can be overridden at any time by steering or applying the brakes.
The Dawn Project released the video as part of its launch of a nationwide public safety ad campaign highlighting the dangers of Tesla’s full self-driving software.
‘The deeply disturbing results of our safety test of Tesla full self-driving should be a rallying cry to action,’ said Dan O’Dowd, founder of The Dawn Project.
‘Elon Musk says Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software is “amazing”. It’s not. It’s a lethal threat to all Americans.’
He added: ‘Over 100,000 Tesla drivers are already using the car’s full self-driving mode on public roads, putting children at great risk in communities across the country.’
The safety test was carried out at the Willow Springs International Raceway and test track in Rosamond, California on June 21.
It was recorded and the footage shows a Tesla in full self-driving mode repeatedly running over the child-sized mannequin.
An NHTSA spokesperson said: ‘NHTSA currently has an open and active investigation of Tesla’s autopilot active driver assistance system, including the “full self-driving” software.
‘As that engineering analysis is ongoing, NHTSA considers all relevant data and information that may assist the agency in its investigation.’
In February this year, Tesla recalled nearly 54,000 cars and SUVs because their full self-driving software was found to let them roll through stop signs without coming to a complete halt.
The over-the-internet software update, which was being tested by a number of drivers, allowed the vehicles to go through junctions with a stop sign at up to 5.6 miles per hour.
Documents shared by US safety regulators said Tesla had agreed to the recall after two meetings with officials from NHTSA.
Tesla said at the time that it was not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the feature, and that there had been no warranty claims as a result of issues with the rolling start update.
The recall covered Model S sedans and X SUVs from 2016 to 2022, as well as 2017 to 2022 Model 3 sedans and 2020 to 2022 Model Y SUVs.
Beta testing of the full self-driving software was carried out by selected Tesla drivers.
However, the cars cannot drive themselves and drivers must be ready to take action at all times, the company says.
Safety advocates complain that Tesla should not be allowed to test the vehicles on public roads with untrained drivers, and that the Tesla software can malfunction, exposing other motorists and pedestrians to danger.
Most car companies with similar software test with trained human safety drivers.
In November last year, the NHTSA said it was looking into a complaint from a Tesla driver that the full self-driving software caused a crash.
It was recorded and the footage shows a Tesla in full self-driving mode repeatedly running over the child-sized mannequin
The driver said their Model Y went into the wrong lane and was hit by another vehicle. The SUV gave the driver an alert halfway through the turn and the driver tried to turn the wheel to avoid other traffic, according to the complaint.
But the car took control and ‘forced itself into the incorrect lane,’ the driver reported.
No one was hurt in the crash on November 3 in Brea, California, according to the complaint.
In December, Tesla agreed to update its less sophisticated autopilot driver-assist system after the NHTSA opened an investigation.
The company agreed to stop allowing video games to be played on centre touch screens while its vehicles are moving.
The agency is also investigating why Teslas on autopilot have repeatedly crashed into emergency vehicles parked on roads.
HISTORY OF FIRST RESPONDER CRASHES CAUSED BY TESLA AUTOPILOT
January 22, 2018 in Culver City: A Tesla Model S hit the back of a fire truck parked at an accident in Culver City around 8:30 am on Interstate 405 using the cars Autopilot system. The Tesla, which was going 65mph, suffered ‘significant damage’ and the firetruck was taken out of service for body work.
May 30, 2018 in Laguna Beach: Authorities said a Tesla sedan in Autopilot mode crashed into a parked police cruiser in Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jim Cota says the officer was not in the cruiser during the crash. He said the Tesla driver suffered minor injuries.
The police SUV ended up with its two passenger-side wheels on a sidewalk.
December 7, 2019 in Norwalk, CT: A 2018 Tesla Model 3 on Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut using the Autopilot driver assistance system rear-ended a parked police car.
December 29, 2019 in Cloverdale, IN: A 2019 Tesla on Interstate 70 in Cloverdale, Indiana hit the back of a parked firetruck.
The Tesla driver, Derrick Monet, and his wife, Jenna Monet, both suffered serious injuries and were transported to the hospital for immediate medical care. Jenna ultimately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
June 30, 2020 in West Bridgewater, MA: A Weston, Massachusetts man driving a Tesla hit a Massachusetts State Police cruiser that was stopped in the left lane of Route 24 in West Bridgewater. A trooper who was on the scene reported that the driver, Nicholas Ciarlone, faced a negligent driving charge and was arraigned in September 2020.
July 15, 2020 in Conchise County, AZ: A Tesla Model S hit an Arizona Department of Public Safety patrol car, resulting in the patrol car rear-ending an ambulance that was on the scene of an earlier car accident. No one was seriously injured, but the Tesla driver was taken to the hospital for injuries.
August 26, 2020 in Charlotte, NC: A Tesla driver watching a movie crashed into a Nash County Sherriff’s Office deputy vehicle in Charlotte, North Carolina on US 64 west.
The driver, Devainder Goli, of Raleigh, was accused of violating the move-over law and watching television while operating a vehicle.
February 27, 2021 in Montgomery County, TX: The driver of a Tesla rear-ended a police cruise during a traffic stop in Montgomery County, Texas. Five deputy constables were injured during the accident, which happened around 1:15 am on Eastex Freeway near East River Road.
The Tesla driver was not injured, but was taken into custody on a DWI charge.
March 17, 2021 in Lansing, MI: A Tesla on autopilot crashed into a Michigan State Police car. Troopers from the Lansing Post had been investigating a crash involving a car and a deer on I-96 near Waverly Rd in Eaton County at around 1:12am.
While investigating the crash, a Tesla driving on autopilot struck the patrol car, which had its emergency lights on.
Neither the driver of the Tesla – a 22-year-old man from Lansing – nor the troopers were injured at the scene. Police issued the unidentified man a citation for failure to move over and driving while license suspended.
May 15, 2021 in Arlington, WA: A Tesla driving in Arlington, Washington hit a police vehicle that resulted in ‘significant damage’ to the police car.
There were no injuries reported from the incident.
May 19, 2021 in Miami, Florida: Three people were hospitalized after a Tesla hit a parked Miami-Dade County Department Transportation Road Ranger truck that was blocking the left lane of I-95 to help clear the debris of an earlier crash.
The driver of the Tesla was transported to a nearby hospital with with severe, albeit non-life-threatening, injuries.
July 10 2021 in San Diego: A woman drove her Tesla onto a stretch of Highway 56 that had been closed to investigate an earlier fatal accident. That saw her Tesla smash into a parked, unoccupied highway cruiser.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and her passenger was injured.
August 28, 2021 in Orlando: A Tesla Model 3 struck a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser that had pulled over to help a broken-down car. The 27 year-old driver and his passenger both suffered minor injuries. The trooper did not get hurt.
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