A Tesla car went rogue and got hit by a train. This happened when the car’s autonomous system failed to stop at a railroad crossing. Luckily, no one was hurt.
The car was a Tesla Model 3 with the “Full Self Driving” (FSD) system on. The FSD system is supposed to help the car drive itself, but it’s not perfect. In fact, the Euro NCAP called it “inadequate and insecure”. The system is only at level 2.5, which means it’s not fully autonomous. To be fully autonomous, a car needs to be at level 5.
The accident happened in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. The car’s owner said the FSD system was on when the car avoided some barriers and got stuck on the train tracks. The train couldn’t stop in time and hit the car, but only damaged the side mirror.
The whole incident is a bit strange, and it’s not clear if the car was really in autonomous mode or if the driver was trying to cover up their mistake. The towing company posted photos of the accident on Facebook, which shows the car stuck on the train tracks.
This incident is not the first time a Tesla car has been in an accident while in autonomous mode. It’s a reminder that autonomous driving is still a work in progress and not yet perfect.
How Autonomous Cars Work
Autonomous cars use a combination of sensors, cameras, and GPS to navigate the road. They can detect obstacles and make decisions in real-time. However, they’re not yet perfect and can make mistakes.
There are different levels of autonomy, ranging from level 0 (no autonomy) to level 5 (full autonomy). Most cars on the market today are at level 2 or 3, which means they have some autonomous features but still require a human driver to be present.
What Went Wrong
In this case, the Tesla Model 3’s FSD system failed to stop at the railroad crossing. It’s not clear what went wrong, but it’s possible that the system malfunctioned or the driver didn’t intervene in time.
The incident highlights the need for more testing and development of autonomous driving systems. While they have the potential to revolutionize transportation, they’re not yet ready for widespread use.
The incident also raises questions about the safety of autonomous cars and the need for clearer regulations. As autonomous cars become more common, there will be a need for more stringent testing and evaluation to ensure they’re safe for the road.
In the meantime, drivers should be aware of the limitations of autonomous driving systems and always be prepared to take control of the car if something goes wrong.