To pilot, or to auto-pilot; that is the question; Tesla recalls more than 1.6 million electric vehicles in China

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Many people find the idea of self-driving cars exciting and futuristic. Imagine, you are able to: relax, work, or even sleep during your commute. Your self-driving car has made transportation more efficient and convenient, allowing you to use your travel time more productive and enjoyably.

Of course, then there is the idea that self-driving cars have the potential to significantly reduce traffic accidents caused by human error. They can react faster than humans and are not susceptible to distractions or fatigue.

What we have to consider, and address are the various challenges associated with self-driving cars, such as: regulatory hurdles, ethical considerations, cybersecurity concerns, and the need for robust infrastructure. Additionally, public acceptance and trust in the technology are crucial for its widespread adoption, and with what I am about to share with you might have you hesitating on accepting the idea of leaving your life in a car’s hands.

Tesla has recently recalled more than 1.6 million electric vehicles in China to fix its driving assist feature to prevent misuse by drivers and remedy an issue with door latches on some models. The company had to recall more than two million vehicles in the U.S. after a federal investigation found it had failed to prevent misuse of its Autopilot feature.

The recall was in response to findings by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation that found Tesla failed to adequately prevent the misuse of its driver assistance feature, which could lead to crashes. In the U.S., Tesla markets the feature as Autopilot, although it is not designed to operate fully autonomously without a driver’s input. The recall followed a two-year NHTSA investigation into Tesla’s driver assistance features after it was linked to deaths and accidents.

According to a notification by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation, the recall covers 1.61 million imported Tesla Model S, X, 3 and Y cars over concerns that the automatic assisted steering function, known as Autosteer, could be misused by drivers and increase the risk of collisions.

An additional 7,538 imported Model S and X cars are also being recalled due to problems with their door lock system which causes the car’s side doors to open during a crash. This was followed by a second recall of 120,000 cars over the door unlocking during a crash issue. Fixes for both issues were delivered via remote update.

Tesla will deliver fixes for these problems with a remote software update, which means most car owners will not be required to take their vehicles to a service center.

It’s not uncommon for futuristic visions to encounter challenges and complexities when brought into reality. The concept of self-driving cars has been a long-standing symbol of the future, often associated with a sense of innovation and progress. However, as we move closer to turning this vision into reality, we see that there are several factors that raise concerns and have tempered the initial optimism.