The controversial Tesla Autopilot feature has been deemed a significant “traffic hazard” by researchers in Germany.
The country’s Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) found the system wanting when it came to following the correct road markings. In the absence of markings, the group found the Autopilot will simply follow the car in front.
The research also said Tesla’s 40-meter detection radius on its rear sensors was not great enough to detect drivers overtaking at faster speeds in the left lane of the autobahn.
The internal study from the Institute is not a final evaluation on Tesla’s driver assistive tech, which is legal to use in Germany.
Related: Is Tesla Model S the ultimate rental car?
Instead the government agency is looking into providing funding to Tesla to help them improve the ‘driver assistive’ tech.
Unsurprisingly, Elon Musk responded to the report via Twitter, by claiming the findings weren’t ‘based on cscience’ and repeating the mantra that Autopilot is safer than manual driving.
https://twitter.com/statuses/785517307476922370
Autopilot’s profile in Germany was raised recently when a Tesla Model S using the feature collided with a bus. No one was seriously hurt. In May a Tesla driver was killed in Florida when Autopilot failed to spot a lorry.
Would you trust Tesla Autopilot to guide you safely on your travels? Watch our own Andy Vandervell and Sean Keach debate the issue and share your thoughts below.
Head-to-Head: Is Tesla Autopilot safe?
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.