The complaint comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to investigate Tesla’s “Autopilot” feature.
The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Tesla’s driver-assistance systems, according to a financial document released Tuesday.
The complaint comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to investigate Tesla’s “Autopilot” feature.
“The business has received demands from the DOJ for materials relevant to Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD (full self-driving) features,” according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has often stated that a fully autonomous vehicle is on the horizon, but his vehicles still only offer “driving assistance” – which assists drivers in changing lanes or identifying stop signs – rather than full autonomy, which would allow drivers to glance away from the road.
The business did not specify what the demands were, but according to media sources, the department is investigating if Tesla’s promises about the reliability of its driver assistance technologies may mislead drivers.
This is not the first time Tesla’s public marketing statements have been scrutinised by regulators.
Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self Driving Capability choices, according to the company’s website, “require a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment.”
However, in 2021, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy warned CNBC that the term “complete self-driving” is “misleading.”
In addition, the California Department of Motor Vehicles filed a complaint against the corporation last year for utilising advertising language that may make its goods appear more capable than they are.
According to Bloomberg, the Justice Department has begun an investigation for identical grounds.
The NHTSA’s study includes inquiries into multiple safety events involving driver assistance technologies.
“To the best of our knowledge, no government agency in any current inquiry has found that any misconduct occurred,” Tesla stated in a filing on Tuesday.