Tesla's 'self-driving' software fails at train crossings
3 hours ago
- #Railroad Safety
- #Tesla
- #Autonomous Vehicles
- Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software has issues detecting and stopping at railroad crossings, as reported by multiple drivers.
- Drivers have shared videos and experiences where their Teslas failed to recognize flashing lights, lowering gate arms, or oncoming trains.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is aware of the incidents and has communicated with Tesla regarding the issue.
- Elon Musk has claimed that Tesla vehicles with FSD can drive themselves, but experts and incidents suggest otherwise.
- Tesla's FSD software is a Level 2 system requiring constant human supervision, despite Musk's claims of autonomy.
- The rail industry has warned about the potential dangers of autonomous vehicles at railroad crossings, emphasizing the need for reliable detection.
- Waymo, a competitor, has a more cautious approach to railroad crossings, using audio receivers and training facilities to ensure safety.
- Tesla has not provided updates on whether its FSD software includes audio inputs for detecting trains or train crossings.
- Experts criticize Tesla's lack of transparency in how its FSD software works and its training data, which may lack sufficient railroad crossing examples.
- Despite some improvements reported by drivers, the reliability of Tesla's FSD at railroad crossings remains questionable.