A recent study conducted by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) unveiled “poor” ratings for Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self Driving technology, along with nine other assisted-driving systems marketed by major automakers. The findings, released on Tuesday, challenge the safety claims associated with these advanced systems.
Lack of real-world safety benefits
According to the IIHS, there is no evidence supporting the real-world safety benefits of Autopilot or other assisted-driving systems based on crash data analysis. David Harkey, President of IIHS, highlighted that insurance claims data showed no reduction in claims as a result of these advanced systems. By contrast, automatic emergency braking systems have shown a 50% reduction in rear-end collisions and a 30% decrease in incidents involving vehicles hitting pedestrians.
Tesla’s safety claims under scrutiny
Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, have previously asserted that a Tesla operating with Autopilot engaged is significantly safer than the U.S. average. However, federal regulators are currently investigating nearly 1,000 accidents involving Tesla’s Autopilot. A civil case scheduled for trial in California will further test Tesla’s assertion, as the company often blames crashes on drivers who fail to pay attention to the road while Autopilot or Full Self Driving technology are engaged.
Ratings and evaluations
The IIHS study rated 14 assisted-driving systems from nine automakers against standards it developed, as there are no formal regulations governing such systems. Of all the systems tested, only one, the Lexus Teammate with Advanced Drive, earned an acceptable rating. GM’s Super Cruise and Nissan’s “ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link” received “marginal” overall ratings, while various systems from other automakers received “poor” ratings.
Automakers’ responses
Several automakers responded to the IIHS study, with Toyota emphasizing its commitment to increasing vehicle safety. GM stated that Super Cruise is intended to enhance the driving experience rather than serve as a safety feature. Mercedes-Benz and BMW acknowledged the IIHS findings and expressed their dedication to improving safety technologies.
Future directions
The IIHS suggested that automakers could enhance safety ratings by adopting existing technology for functions such as driver monitoring or attention warnings. Tesla and other automakers are continuously improving the capabilities of their systems, with Tesla revising its Autopilot software following a federal recall agreement. BMW also announced plans to offer more sophisticated driving assistance systems in certain U.S. models.
The study by the IIHS sheds light on the performance and safety aspects of assisted-driving systems, raising questions about their real-world effectiveness. As automakers strive to integrate advanced technologies into their vehicles, ensuring the safety and reliability of these systems remains a crucial aspect of their development and deployment.