TLDR:
- Tesla drivers are using Full Self-Driving (FSD) software for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft
- A self-driving Tesla carrying an Uber passenger crashed in Las Vegas, raising safety concerns
- FSD software has limitations and requires driver attention, but some drivers use it to work longer hours
- Regulatory bodies currently do not specifically regulate FSD use in ride-hailing services
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk plans to unveil a robotaxi concept on October 10, 2024
Tesla drivers operating for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are increasingly using the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, a practice that has come under scrutiny following a recent accident in Las Vegas.
The incident, which occurred on April 10, 2024, involved a Tesla operating on FSD with an Uber passenger on board colliding with an SUV at an intersection.
The crash has highlighted the growing use of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology in ride-hailing services and raised questions about safety and regulation in this emerging field.
While companies like Waymo and Cruise operate heavily regulated test versions of self-driving cabs with human backup drivers, individual Tesla owners using FSD for ride-hailing fall into a regulatory gray area.
FSD, which costs $99 per month, is classified as a partial automation system that requires full driver attention and engagement. However, some ride-hail drivers report using the software to reduce stress and work longer hours, potentially increasing their earnings. Industry experts estimate that 30% to 40% of Tesla ride-hail drivers across the U.S. regularly use FSD while working.
The Las Vegas accident involved Justin Yoon, a Tesla driver who was using FSD while carrying an Uber passenger. According to footage from inside the car, the Tesla failed to slow down as an SUV emerged from a blind spot created by another vehicle. Yoon took control at the last moment, resulting in a collision that totaled the car and caused minor injuries to both Yoon and his passenger.
This incident has sparked debate about the readiness of FSD technology for widespread use in ride-hailing services. While Tesla CEO Elon Musk has ambitious plans for a robotaxi network using FSD as its foundation, drivers using the current version of the software report limitations and occasional errors, including unexpected acceleration and braking.
Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft have responded to questions about FSD use by stating that drivers are responsible for passenger safety. Both companies expect drivers to maintain a safe environment for riders and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reached out to Tesla for additional information about the Las Vegas crash but has not yet announced any new regulations or guidelines specifically addressing FSD use in ride-hailing services.
State authorities in California, Nevada, and Arizona have also stated that they do not currently regulate this practice, as FSD falls outside the scope of existing robotaxi or autonomous vehicle regulations.
Some industry experts and safety advocates argue that more oversight is needed. David Kidd, a senior research scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, suggests that NHTSA should consider providing basic, non-binding guidelines to prevent misuse of such technologies.
Others, like Missy Cummings, director of the George Mason University Autonomy and Robotics center, believe that a formal investigation into how ride-hail drivers use all driver-assistance technology, not just FSD, may be necessary.
Elon Musk is set to unveil the company’s robotaxi concept on October 10, 2024, which could potentially revolutionize the ride-hailing industry.
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