Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) has seen some negative publicity recently, especially following news of a driver arrested repeatedly for reckless driving by using FSD from the backseat.
On Monday, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said in a statement that it is reviewing Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system’s (ADAS’s) claims to be “Full Self-Driving” to determine if regulations were violated in its promotion of the technology, reports Reuters.
In the statement, the regulator went on to say that the regulation “prohibits a company from advertising vehicles for sale or lease as autonomous…”
Tesla In-App Purchase Glitch: Full Self-Driving Upgrade Listed for $0 https://t.co/8VHDc5XFO0
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) May 7, 2021
While Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD systems both offer semi-autonomous driving, the company has only achieved a Level 2 autonomy, which requires a driver to be in the driver’s seat, engaged with the road, and prepared to take over in case the system fails. FSD can be purchased for a one-time $10,000 (USD) upgrade, though a subscription version is coming possibly next month, says Elon Musk.
Despite the technology’s impressive abilities, many analysts have also criticized Tesla’s promotion of the technology as Full Self-Driving, saying that the term misleads consumers into thinking the car is fully autonomous, or more so than it truly is.
Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD beta warn drivers to be ready to take full control at a moment’s notice, but there are always some people who ignore these warnings, risking their own lives and others.
If the California DMV rules the terminology a violation, it could suspend, revoke, or modify Tesla’s occupational license, according to the regulator.
