LOS ANGELES (AP) – A Tesla in Autopilot mode can drive itself but it’s not a “self-driving” vehicle, at least as far as safety regulators are concerned.
So, instead of coming under heavy government scrutiny before being sold to the public, Tesla can mass-produce cars that automatically adjust speed with the flow of traffic, keep their lane and slam the brakes in an emergency.
Tesla tells its customers to stay alert while driving, only use the technology on divided highways, keep their hands on the wheel and be prepared to take over should the technology fail. Some clearly don’t – online videos, including some with the “driver” in the back seat, show people taking the very risks Tesla warns against.
Still, the disclaimers – and a few regulatory wrinkles – are enough for the government.
Tesla made sure of that before going to market with the technology in October, approaching the Department of Motor Vehicles in its home state of California to check whether officials would throw up any roadblocks.