Tesla Unveils Cybercab Amidst Unresolved Safety Concerns 

Tesla has unveiled its latest breakthrough in autonomous driving technology. The electric vehicle giant unveiled a prototype for its upcoming “Cybercab” that is set to feature enhanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology without steering wheels and pedals, claiming to offer riders “a seamless driving experience.” This announcement is being met with excitement, but also plenty of scrutiny as this vehicle launch comes at a time when many safety concerns regarding Tesla’s current FSD and autopilot technology remain unresolved.

The New Automated Cybercab

The Cybercab is set to have cutting-edge AI-powered driving capabilities, designed to handle everything from daily commutes to long highway journeys without human intervention. With a sleek design, improved battery life, and enhanced in-cabin features, Tesla is positioning this car as a game-changer in both the electric and autonomous vehicle markets. It will be equipped with Tesla’s next-gen Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is claimed to be capable of navigating complex road systems, making split-second decisions, and interacting more intuitively with its surroundings than previous models. This vehicle claims to move away from supervised FSD to unsupervised FSD. Elon Musk says, “You can fall asleep and wake up at your destination.” He’s made similar boasts in the past. The body count tells a different story.

Safety Concerns

The proposal of unsupervised FSD is a concerning one, especially when the only claims of safety improvements to the current FSD are claims of enhanced sensors and AI. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported concerns that Tesla’s existing driver-assistance features may give people a false sense of security, leading to potentially dangerous situations on the road. Over the years there have been multiple reports that highlight instances where drivers misunderstood or over-relied on the technology, and Elon Musk’s newest statement about waking up at your destination contradicts the public record.

Legal Trouble

Adding fuel to the safety controversy, Tesla is facing a wave of lawsuits related to accidents involving its autonomous driving systems. One notable case settled recently involved the family of Walter Huang, an Apple engineer who tragically died in 2018 when his Tesla, operating on Autopilot, crashed into a highway barrier in California. The case, settled in April 2024, accused Tesla of overstating the safety of its Autopilot system.

That was the same month a motorcyclist was killed by a Tesla on Autopilot whose driver was entirely absorbed in his cellphone. Similar lawsuits are ongoing, as Tesla faces federal investigations over potential defects in its self-driving technology, including exaggerated and misleading claims about its autonomy

Expert Legal Advice

“My advice to anyone using Tesla’s new or old automated vehicles is to proceed with caution. While the technology is remarkable, it is not foolproof,” says Miguel Custodio of Custodio & Dubey, who has raised concerns about the technology.

“I would have liked to see Elon Musk put some of the circulating safety concerns to rest before unveiling alleged ‘improved’ technology. Regardless of claims, these automated systems still require a driver’s full attention. Technology is always at risk to malfunction and, in this case, cause potentially life-threatening accidents. Always stay alert and be prepared to take control at any moment. The risk of accidents is real, and overconfidence in this technology can have real legal consequences.”

What’s Next?

Despite safety concerns, Tesla still does remain at the forefront of innovation in the electric vehicle market. As the company moves forward with its ambitious vision for autonomous vehicles, its ability to address safety concerns will be critical to maintaining consumer trust and regulatory approval.

For more of Miguel’s thoughts on Tesla, here are a couple more links:

https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/376533-tesla-recalls-too-little-too-late

https://cd-lawyers.com/blog/robot-taxi-havoc-is-the-future-of-transportation-already-in-reverse/