Tesla Says Car in Netherlands Not on Autopilot at Time of Crash
09 September 2016 - 6:00AM
Dow Jones News
Tesla Motors Inc.'s "Autopilot" feature wasn't in use during a
deadly crash of one of its vehicles south of Amsterdam, the company
said.
"We can confirm from the car's logs that Autopilot was not
engaged at any time during the drive cycle and that, consistent
with the damage that was observed after the vehicle struck the
tree, the vehicle was being driven at more than 155 km/h," Tesla
said Thursday in a prepared statement.
The driver didn't survive. Tesla and Dutch authorities were
investigating the incident Wednesday.
Tesla crashes have come under scrutiny since the company
revealed in June that a Model S ran into a truck in Florida while
in its Autopilot feature was engaged. The driver died, marking the
first death in which Tesla's Autopilot was active. That crash has
ignited a broader debate about autonomous vehicle technology in
development by auto makers and tech companies.
Tesla's Autopilot system, which is a step toward self-driving
cars, uses cameras, radar and sensors to steer the vehicle, adjust
its speed and change lanes. Drivers must acknowledge, when they
activate Autopilot, that the system is in beta-test and that they
are responsible for the vehicle. The system includes safeguards
intended to ensure that drivers keep hands on the wheel to take
control if needed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in June said
it was investigating the Florida crash, which occurred in May. The
agency disclosed in July that it was seeking documents and details
of additional crashes involving Tesla's Autopilot feature.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 08, 2016 15:45 ET (19:45 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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