Tesla says driver overrode self-driving before fatal Texas crash
▼ Summary
– Tesla refutes claims that its Full Self-Driving system caused a fatal Texas crash where a Model 3 hit a home, killing a woman.
– Tesla AI head Ashok Elluswamy states the driver manually overrode the self-driving system by pressing the accelerator fully.
– The crash occurred in Katy, Texas, with the driver identified as Michael Butler.
– The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported the driver was using an automated driving assistance system at the time.
– Elluswamy’s response on X provides Tesla’s counterpoint to the sheriff’s office’s initial assessment.
Tesla is disputing claims that its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system was responsible for a fatal crash in Texas, where a speeding Model 3 plowed into a home and killed a 76-year-old woman. According to Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s head of AI, the driver manually overrode the self-driving feature by pressing the accelerator pedal to its maximum.
The incident took place last Friday in a residential area of Katy, Texas. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News that the driver had been using the vehicle with an automated driving assistance system. But Elluswamy countered on X, stating that the driver, identified as Michael Butler, took control by fully engaging the accelerator. This action, he argued, indicates the system was not at fault.
The crash has sparked renewed debate over the safety and reliability of Tesla’s driver-assist technologies, particularly FSD. While authorities continue their investigation, Tesla’s swift rebuttal highlights the company’s stance that human error, not automation, was the primary cause. The tragedy underscores the critical importance of understanding the limits of semi-autonomous driving features, even as automakers push toward greater vehicle autonomy.
(Source: The Verge)
