Federal Government Blocks Sales of "Autopilot Buddy" Systems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a cease-and-desist letter to a company responsible for creating the Autopilot Buddy. Autopilot is a semi-autonomous driving feature that is found in Tesla vehicles. Autopilot Buddy is being sold to Tesla drivers to disable the safety function that recognizes when both hands are on the steering wheel. Tesla’s Autopilot is not a fully autonomous self-driving system, and it will alert the driver to return both hands to the wheel. Autopilot Buddy overrides the system by attaching a magnetic piece to one side of the steering wheel, causing it to believe that both hands are in place. The maker of Autopilot Buddy has until June 29, as demanded by NHTSA, to cease all U.S. marketing, selling, and distribution of their product. NHTSA says that this product could jeopardize the safety of Tesla customers and other motorists. In light of recent automobile accidents involving self-driving cars, NHTSA is cautious about what is deemed safe and unsafe. Driver-assistance technology is becoming more complex, but it can be dangerous if the driver overestimates the vehicle’s abilities. Tesla agreed with NHTSA’s decision to block the sale of Autopilot Buddy. The company selling the product has complied with NHTSA’s demands by posting on its website that it no longer sells the product in the United States.

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