A Tesla Model S with the Autopilot system activated was involved in a fatal crash, the first known fatality in a Tesla where Autopilot was active. The company revealed the crash in a blog post posted today and says it informed the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the incident, which is now investigating.

 

The accident occurred on a divided highway in central Florida when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither the driver — who Tesla notes is ultimately responsible for the vehicle’s actions, even with Autopilot on — nor the car noticed the big rig or the trailer "against a brightly lit sky" and brakes were not applied. In a tweet, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the vehicle's radar didn't help in this case because it "tunes out what looks like an overhead road sign to avoid false braking events."

 

Because of the high ride-height of the trailer, as well as its positioning across the road, the Model S passed under the trailer and the first impact was between the windshield and the trailer. Tesla writes that if the car had impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, the car’s safety systems "would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents."

 

Tesla driver killed in crash with Autopilot active, NHTSA investigating | The Verge

If you're not going to drive your car, then why have a car?

John Connor is shaking his head right now.

I am all for any saftey features they can put in a car, but there should always be a human, paying attention, in there somewhere.

So much for that.

Tesla tells drivers that they must keep hands on the wheel. They have a warning that goes off when your hands are not on the wheel. The car starts to decrease in speed if you do not comply. All of this after you agree to turn ON the Auto Pilot feature.

 

It's not a replacement for the driver. It was not intended to be a replacement.

 

Their track record is off to a strong start. Americans drive about 95M miles per fatality. Tesla had their first fatality at the 130M mark.

Followed a S90D coming home from work the other day. Nice looking vehicle.