Tesla's advanced version of its Autopilot feature, the "Full Self-Driving", software will soon be available for more drivers. The FSD Beta version 10.0.1 update was previously only available to a few. If all goes according to plan, there could be a lot more drivers using the software on public roads. This will depend on driving skills. FSD mode users have been promised an update button.
However, the feature comes with some warnings. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has released a new study that suggests Autopilot could cause drivers to lose focus when it comes to driving the advanced system.
The study's model is based on glance data from 290 human initiated autopilot disengagement epochs. It basically replicated the observed glance patterns of drivers. The study was conducted by Bryan Reimer, Bryan Mehler, Bruce Mehler and Alberto Morando from MIT. They followed Tesla Model S and X owners over a period of a few years, all based around the Greater Boston area.
What are the results? The results? This means that drivers tend to pay less attention to the road and more to non-driving areas before Autopilot is turned on/off. Drivers may not be using this feature as recommended, and could become less attentive or too relaxed while driving. Manual driving is far more likely to experience these shifts in attention.
The authors write that this change in behavior could be due to a misunderstanding of the system's capabilities and limitations. This is reinforced when automation performs well.
Autopilot and Full Auto-Driving mode don't make the car autonomous. They still need full driver supervision. Tesla's support website states that Autopilot and Full Self Driving Capability can only be used with an attentive driver who is always at the wheel. They are ready to take control of the car at any time. Full autonomy is dependent on the ability to achieve reliability far beyond human drivers, as shown by billions upon billions of experiences and regulatory approvals, which might take longer in certain jurisdictions.
Although the MIT acknowledges that Tesla's safety records state that its current customers (those with self-driving cars) use Autopilot safely, it recommends the installation of additional systems in the vehicles to monitor and give feedback to drivers. Tesla's Autopilot monitors driver engagement using a hands-on-wheel sensing device, but does not consider eye or head regulation. According to the authors, eye/head tracking may be more closely linked to paying attention on the road. This could be applied to save drivers from inattention while keeping them hands-free.
Comparatively, Ford & General Motors offer hands-free assisted driving systems using eye/head tracking with their Blue Cruise & Super Cruise systems, respectively.
Numerous high-profile accidents involving Autopilot, including a fatal Model X collision in 2018, have been brought to the attention not only of federal authorities but also of MIT researchers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating Autopilot for safety concerns, including the possibility that it can be easily tricked.
