‘Self-driving’ being discussed again as first Tesla autopilot crash occurs in China

Tesla stated on Wednesday that a person of its vehicles crashed in Beijing while in ‘auto-pilot’ mode, having the driver contending sales staff sold the function as ‘self-driving’, overplaying its real abilities.

Tesla said it had examined information to confirm the automobile remained in autopilot mode (a system that takes control of steering and braking in specific conditions).

The automaker, who is investigating the crash in country’s capital recently, likewise said it was the driver’s responsibility to preserve control of the automobile. In this case, it stated, the driver’s hands were not spotted on the steering wheel.

The crash came to be known as Tesla’s first accident in China, comes after a deadly accident in Florida, which showed up pressure on automobile market executives and regulators to tighten up regulations on automated driving technology.

Interviews with 4 other unconnected Tesla drivers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou showed the message conveyed by front-line sales personnel did not compare with Tesla’s more clear cut declarations that the system is not “self-driving” but an advance motorist support system (ADAS).

CHINA WOES Tesla does sporadically reveal its sales data for China, where it has actually dealt with difficult local competitors, and it is unclear how lots of cars in the nation have autopilot, an add-on function that costs over 27,000 yuan ($4,000) extra.

The automaker had a hard time to sell its high-tech electric vehicles in China in the beginning due to distribution concerns and extensive concerns about charging cars.