Tesla’s Full Self-Driving System Criticized for Failing Driver Monitoring Tests
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has come under scrutiny after it failed driver monitoring tests conducted by critics. The limitations of Tesla’s driver monitoring system were demonstrated in a series of videos shared on social media by the Dawn Project and YouTuber AI Addict.
Despite being at the forefront of innovation in many areas, Tesla has lagged behind when it comes to driver monitoring systems. Only a few years ago, Tesla had claimed that the built-in camera in its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles would serve as a driver-monitoring tool. However, recent tests suggest that the company still has a long way to go in perfecting this aspect of its autonomous driving technology.
To put the system to the test, the team behind the Dawn Project and AI Addict used a clever trick involving a small weight attached to the steering wheel, making it appear as though the driver had their hands on it. A 30-pound weight was also placed on the driver’s seat alongside random objects. With the Full Self-Driving system enabled, the testers observed how the system would respond.
In the first test, a large teddy bear was placed behind the wheel, clearly indicating the absence of a human driver. However, the driver monitoring system failed to detect this and allowed the Tesla vehicle to continue driving without any intervention. The second test involved dragging a small child doll in front of the car to assess the effectiveness of the autonomous emergency braking system. Unfortunately, it took a while for the system to react, and when it finally did, the car failed to brake in time.
Further tests replaced the teddy bear with a unicorn, once again resulting in the driver monitoring system proving futile. In addition, the car failed to stop when the child doll was put in harm’s way. Even in the absence of any object in the driver’s seat, apart from a weight, the Full Self-Driving beta continued to operate. In this scenario, the car hit the child doll before briefly pausing and then resuming its journey.
Interestingly, a recent YouTube video shared by Whole Mars Catalog presents a contrasting view, showcasing the driver monitoring system working effectively. The clip features a driver repeatedly glancing at his phone and receiving timely warnings from the Tesla car to focus on the road. After disregarding these warnings four times, the car’s self-steering capability was disabled for the remainder of the drive.
These contrasting results highlight the ongoing debate regarding Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system and its driver monitoring capabilities. While critics argue that the system fails to adequately monitor the driver’s attention and lacks reliable emergency braking functionality, supporters point to instances where the system effectively prompts drivers to pay attention to the road.
As Tesla continues to develop and refine its Full Self-Driving technology, these tests serve as a reminder of the importance of robust driver monitoring systems. Ensuring the safety of both occupants and pedestrians should remain a top priority in the pursuit of autonomous driving.
