First Fatal Autonomous Car Crash, Investigation Underway

The crash of an autonomous car has led to the death of an individual. The car in question is Tesla’s Model S. Tesla confirmed that the crash took place when the driver had engaged its semi-autonomous Autopilot mode. According to reports, Tesla immediately informed National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), that is now investigating the crash.

Tesla’s official report read, “What we know is that the vehicle was on a divided highway with Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied.”

It further stated, “The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S. Had the Model S impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, its advanced crash safety system would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents.”

Furthermore, Tesla also said that the fatality from the Autopilot is first of its kind and has occurred after 209 million kilometers. While among all other vehicles in the United States, there’s a death after every 152 million kilometers. Whereas, throughout the world a fatality occurs after approximately every 96 million kilometers.

The Tesla was being driven by Joshua Brown, a 40-year old Ohio resident, and the crash left him grievously injured, ultimately leading to his death. He had been actively using the Autopilot feature of his Model S, and had posted numerous videos on YouTube of himself using the feature.

The Autopilot feature was first introduced around October 2014 and has since then gained immense popularity. As per Tesla, the system is only recommended for semi-autonomous usage. The Autopilot mode lends necessary warning to the driver and also requires her/him to hold the steering at all times. The system also gives audio and visual warning to the driver if it does not detect any contact with the steering.