US Investigates Tesla’s ‘Elon Mode’

According to Bloomberg, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US is currently investigating Tesla’s Autopilot feature, which allows drivers to operate their vehicles without holding the steering wheel for long periods. The agency has requested data from Tesla pertaining to this particular feature.

NHTSA’s inquiry stems from incidents in which Tesla vehicles have collided with emergency vehicles. The agency’s letter to Tesla, sent last month and recently posted on its website, expresses concern about a specific Autopilot setting. This setup allows drivers to use the system for long periods of time without having to apply force to the steering wheel.

Safety controls and “Elon mode”

Normally, when the driver uses Tesla’s Autopilot or Full Self-Driving mode and takes his hands off the steering wheel, the car’s touchscreen displays a flashing symbol. If the rider still does not grip the bike, the system will proceed to beep. If nothing is done, the Autopilot function can be disabled.

In June, The Verge reported that a software hacker had found a way to disable this security feature, playfully labeling it “Elon mode.”

Concern about potential abuse

NHTSA’s letter expressed concern that drivers may attempt to activate this potentially dangerous mode given its reported existence. Tesla has not publicly acknowledged the feature’s existence.

In its letter, the agency stated: “Loose controls intended to ensure driver commitment to the driving task may result in increased driver distraction and failure to properly control Autopilot.”

Tesla’s manual advises drivers using Autopilot to “always keep their hands on the steering wheel.” Elon Musk mentioned last December that an upcoming software update would allow some Tesla drivers to disable the reminder notifications, commonly known as “nags,” but this has yet to be implemented.

Tesla’s response to NHTSA

NHTSA confirmed on August 25 that Tesla had submitted a confidential response to their inquiry.

Earlier this month, Elon Musk live-streamed himself driving a Tesla in Palo Alto, California while using his phone, which violates both Tesla’s rules and California state law. However, Palo Alto police clarified that Musk will not be fined for this violation because no police officers had directly witnessed the act.