Watch: Tesla's Autopilot Mode Steers Vehicle Into An Oncoming Train's Path

Are autonomous cars truly safe for humans? While we may not have a solid answer to this question yet, but a recent incident has highlighted the dangers of driving a Tesla car in autopilot.

While Tesla's autonomous vehicles have been dubbed as fully self-driving, its software is an assistive driving tool at best - at least for now. The system's imperfection was on full display in a new video from YouTube channel Beta Tech OG, when a YouTuber's Tesla Model 3 almost drove right into an incoming train.

This is the scariest near-crash on Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta I've seen. The Tesla tries to turn directly in front of a train (light rail) in Denver. pic.twitter.com/eZE92qGD3t

¡ª Taylor Ogan (@TaylorOgan) July 1, 2022

Tesla goes for the train - head on!

What went down? In the video, the drivers test Tesla's autopilot system using the "Full Self-Driving" option in the city of Denver in USA. In the video, that spans almost 18 minutes, the vehicles bumps into several objects.

Things got dire as the car almost rammed into a light rail train while attempting to turn left right in the train's path. The most worrying is that Tesla's autopilot screen showed that the car's software had picked up on the train. Yet, it decided to turn left in front of the train.

Also read: Tesla Researchers Develop Battery Tech That Can Remain Charged For 100 Years

Of course, at this point the driver intervened and steered the car away from the train's path. In the video, one can hear the train operator blowing a horn at the car, further suggesting that the vehicle was doing something wrong.

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That's not all! In the same video, the Tesla was making a routine left turn but made a turn too wide, almost running into two pedestrians standing on the corner. Soon after, the driver seemed to have given up on Tesla, calling the entire experience super disappointing.

Also read: Tesla Cars May Be Unlocked And Hacked Using Bluetooth Devices, Researchers Find

You can report Tesla's autopilot issues through a button inside the vehicles, but it's unclear how much it helps. In the meantime, should Tesla be allowing regular drivers and customers to use this self-driving feature if it can land them in danger?

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According to US data released last month, Tesla vehicles accounted for most crashes through its "Level 2" driver-assistance systems in the US. Tesla's electric cars were involved in 273 of the 392 crashes, the report claimed.

What do you think about the future of electric vehicles and autonomous driving? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

DeMattia, N. (2022b, July 3). Watch as Tesla¡¯s Autopilot Almost Steers Model 3 Into Oncoming Train. The Drive.

Agence France-Presse. (2022, June 15). Tesla Driver-Assistance Involved In 273 Crashes: Reports. NDTV.Com.