NTSB Director Says Tesla Must Solve ‘Basic Security Issues’ With Semi-Autonomous Features

Tesla isn’t about to get a sympathetic ear from U.S. regulators as it deploys more semi-autonomous technology. Jennifer Homendy, new chair of the National Transportation Safety Board The Wall Street Journal in an interview that Tesla needs to tackle “basic safety concerns” before expanding features like autopilot and fully autonomous driving to more parts of the road. She was also not thrilled with Tesla’s beta testing upgrades on public streets.

Like other critics, the NTSB leader took issue with Tesla’s naming schemes for its driver aids. The Full Self Driving label is “misleading and irresponsible,” Homendy said, leading some to “abuse and abuse it.” Despite the name, the current FSD package only allows limited range in certain situations, and requires drivers to be ready to get behind the wheel at all times. Tesla is ultimately hoping for true autonomy to enable robotaxis and other hands-off uses, but has yet to demonstrate such a system.

Tesla and his boss Elon Musk have long argued that autopilot (and by extension FSD) is overall safer than full manual control despite concerns about crashes involving the technology. The automaker used the beta versions of FSD as a way to improve semi-autonomous functionality through actual use, not just ideal closed-course conditions.

Homendy’s remarks will not necessarily lead to policies to limit or ban Tesla’s technology. However, it set the tone for the NTSB’s approach to Tesla during the Biden administration. The agency might not be receptive to Tesla’s autonomous driving strategy, particularly if there is an increase in collisions.