A tesla logo is seen in Los Angeles, California U.S. January 12, 2018. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
U.S. crash investigators faulted Tesla Inc.’s Autopilot system and the driver’s distraction by a mobile device for a 2018 fatal crash and called on Apple Inc. and other mobile phone makers to do more to keep motorist’s attention on the road.
Tesla was heavily criticized for not doing enough to keep drivers from using its driver-assist function inappropriately. U.S. regulators, which have guidelines but no firm rules for the emerging automated driving systems, were also attacked by the safety board.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation showed that "semi-autonomous vehicles can lead drivers to be complacent, highly complacent about their systems, and it also points out that smartphones, manipulating them, can be so addictive that people aren’t going to put them down,” Chairman Robert Sumwalt said during the hearing.
Even though the Tesla had previously veered toward the concrete barrier, the driver allowed the semi-autonomous system to essentially steer itself as it passed that same location, the NTSB concluded. Apple also failed to instruct employees not to use its devices while behind the wheel.
"The crash driver’s employer, Apple, is a tech leader, but like most employers, has yet to develop a distracted driving policy,” Sumwalt said at the meeting.
