Tesla Engineer Rejects Claim that Full Self-Driving Name Misled Customers

In a recent court hearing, a Tesla engineer dismissed allegations that the company named its driver-assistant feature “Full Self-Driving” to deceive customers about its capabilities. The electric vehicle manufacturer is currently facing its first trial in the United States over claims that its Autopilot feature resulted in a fatal accident. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla’s Autopilot system caused the Model 3 owned by Micah Lee to veer off the highway, leading to a tragic crash that claimed Lee’s life and injured his passengers.

Tesla vehemently denies the accusations, stating that it remains unclear whether Autopilot was engaged at the time of the accident. The company has been actively developing and deploying its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, which CEO Elon Musk has highlighted as crucial to Tesla’s future. However, these systems have faced regulatory and legal scrutiny.

During the court hearing, Tesla engineer Eloy Rubio Blanco testified that the initial version of the FSD package, purchased by Lee in 2019, offered features such as maintaining distance from other vehicles and staying within the lane. Rubio Blanco rejected the suggestion made by Lee’s attorney that Tesla intentionally named the system “Full Self-Driving” to mislead customers about its capabilities.

Rubio Blanco clarified that Tesla drivers do not perceive their vehicles as fully autonomous. He acknowledged that Tesla vehicles sold in 2019 might have “latent defects” due to the complexity of the software. Rubio Blanco emphasized that Tesla’s driver-assistant system has limitations, and drivers should be prepared to override it when necessary. For instance, the system may inaccurately detect objects, leading to unexpected deceleration, or the automatic braking may not be sufficient to avoid a collision in certain situations.

Tesla had requested that Rubio Blanco’s testimony be kept private due to trade secrets, but the judge denied the request. However, the court temporarily halted the live audio feed during Rubio Blanco’s appearance.

As the trial continues, Tesla remains committed to enhancing the safety and capabilities of its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. The company acknowledges the complexities involved and urges drivers to exercise caution and remain attentive while using these driver-assistant features.