| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to Tesla's Autopilot system has happened again within the same organization. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into about a dozen crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while Autopilot was engaged [118477]. These crashes occurred over the past three years, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Additionally, two US senators called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Tesla for misleading consumers and endangering the public by marketing its driving automation systems as fully self-driving [118477].
(b) The software failure incident related to crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while using automated driving features like Autopilot has also occurred at other organizations or with their products and services. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mentioned crashes in various locations involving different vehicles using similar automated driving features [118477]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the case of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The incident involves the release of a beta version of the FSD software that has raised concerns among regulators due to being unregulated and largely untested [118477]. The software update allows customers to request access to the FSD beta program, which includes features like navigating city streets, changing lanes, and making turns. However, early beta tests revealed issues such as struggling with roundabouts, making sudden maneuvers towards pedestrians and oncoming traffic, and displaying warnings that it "may do the wrong thing at the worst time" [118477]. These design flaws and limitations in the software's functionality highlight the risks associated with releasing unfinished technology to the public.
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the crashes involving Tesla vehicles using the Autopilot system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into about a dozen crashes where parked emergency vehicles were hit by Teslas while the Autopilot was engaged [118477]. These crashes occurred in various locations across the United States, resulting in injuries and fatalities. The incidents raise concerns about the operation and misuse of the Autopilot system, as drivers may have relied too heavily on the system's capabilities, leading to accidents. Additionally, there are criticisms that Tesla's drivers may have taken their eyes off the road under the assumption that they were in a self-driving car, contributing to the accidents [118477]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident related to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software can be categorized as within_system. This is evident from the fact that the FSD beta system had issues such as struggling with roundabouts, left turns, veering towards pedestrians, and crossing double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic [118477]. These issues indicate that the failure originated from within the system itself, highlighting the challenges and limitations of the software in handling real-world driving scenarios. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
- The software failure incident related to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software can be attributed to non-human actions such as the system struggling with roundabouts and left turns, veering towards pedestrians, and crossing double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic [118477].
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while Autopilot was engaged, indicating failures in the system's ability to detect and respond to stationary objects [118477].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
- Human actions also played a role in the software failure incident as Tesla allowed drivers to request access to the Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD beta) program, with only those rated as 'good drivers' by Tesla's insurance calculator being granted access [118477].
- Elon Musk emphasized the need for vigilance and careful driving even with the FSD beta system, indicating that human actions and behaviors are crucial in ensuring the safe operation of the software [118477]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Tesla's driver assistant system due to 11 accidents feared to have been caused because the system had trouble spotting parked emergency vehicles, indicating a hardware-related issue [118477].
- One of the crashes involved a Tesla slamming into the back of a parked fire engine, resulting in a fatality, which points to a hardware-related failure [118477].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to software:
- The incidents of crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while Autopilot was engaged raise concerns about the software's ability to detect and respond appropriately to such scenarios, indicating a software-related failure [118477].
- The investigation by NHTSA into Tesla's driver assistant system and the crashes into emergency vehicles suggest software-related issues in the Autopilot and Traffic Aware Cruise Control systems [118477]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) software can be categorized as non-malicious. The incident involves issues with the FSD beta system, which has shown struggles with roundabouts, left turns, veering towards pedestrians, and crossing double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic [118477].
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while Autopilot was engaged, indicating concerns about the safety and functionality of the system [118477].
Furthermore, there are criticisms from regulators and industry peers regarding the hasty approach of Tesla in rolling out the self-driving features without sufficient study and emphasis on safety [118477].
Overall, the software failure incident appears to be a result of technical challenges and safety concerns rather than any malicious intent to harm the system. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
(a) poor_decisions: The software failure incident related to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software can be attributed to poor decisions made by the company. Tesla faced criticism and regulatory scrutiny for rapidly rolling out the FSD beta program, which was considered unregulated and largely untested. The decision to release the software to customers, allowing them to request access to the controversial FSD beta program, raised concerns among regulators and industry peers about the safety implications. Additionally, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk's statements and actions, such as testing the unfinished technology on public roads and making lofty predictions about full self-driving cars, contributed to the perception of poor decisions surrounding the software release [118477].
(b) accidental_decisions: The software failure incident related to Tesla's Autopilot and Traffic Aware Cruise Control systems causing crashes into parked emergency vehicles can be attributed to accidental decisions or unintended consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into these crashes, which were feared to have been caused because the system had trouble spotting parked emergency vehicles. The crashes into emergency vehicles occurred in various locations over the past few years, resulting in injuries and fatalities. These incidents highlight the unintended consequences of the software's limitations in detecting stationary objects like parked emergency vehicles, leading to accidents that were not intentional but resulted from system shortcomings [118477]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence can be seen in the case of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The incident involves the release of a 'beta' version of the software to Tesla drivers, which has raised concerns among regulators and safety authorities due to being unregulated and largely untested [Article 118477]. The software update allows customers to request access to the controversial FSD beta program, which has shown issues during early beta tests such as struggling with roundabouts, left turns, veering towards pedestrians, and crossing double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic [Article 118477]. Additionally, there have been crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while Autopilot, the predecessor of FSD, was engaged, leading to investigations by federal vehicle safety authorities [Article 118477].
(b) The software failure incident related to accidental factors can be observed in the crashes involving Tesla vehicles on Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control hitting vehicles at scenes where first responders have used flashing lights, flares, illuminated arrow boards, or cones warning of hazards. These accidents have occurred due to the system having trouble spotting parked emergency vehicles, leading to injuries and fatalities [Article 118477]. The crashes into emergency vehicles have been identified in various locations across the United States, starting from January 2018, and have resulted in multiple incidents causing harm and raising concerns about the safety of Tesla's driving automation systems [Article 118477]. |
| Duration |
permanent |
(a) The software failure incident related to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software can be considered as a permanent failure due to contributing factors introduced by all circumstances. The incident involves the release of the FSD beta program, which has raised concerns from regulators and industry peers regarding safety and the hasty approach taken by Tesla in rolling out the feature [118477].
The software failure is ongoing as regulators are investigating Tesla for possible safety defects following a series of crashes into parked emergency vehicles while the Autopilot feature was engaged. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into about a dozen crashes involving parked emergency vehicles, and scrutiny from safety regulators continues [118477]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, value, byzantine, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident related to a crash can be seen in the article where it mentions crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while Autopilot was engaged, leading to injuries and fatalities [118477].
(b) omission: The software failure incident related to omission can be inferred from the article where it discusses instances where the Autopilot system failed to spot parked emergency vehicles, resulting in accidents [118477].
(c) timing: The software failure incident related to timing can be observed in the article where it mentions the system performing its intended functions incorrectly at times, such as struggling with roundabouts, left turns, veering towards pedestrians, and crossing double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic [118477].
(d) value: The software failure incident related to value can be identified in the article where it discusses the system warning drivers that it 'may do the wrong thing at the worst time,' indicating that it may perform its intended functions incorrectly [118477].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident related to a byzantine behavior can be seen in the article where it mentions the Autopilot system providing inconsistent responses and interactions, leading to crashes into parked emergency vehicles despite the system being engaged [118477].
(f) other: The software failure incident also includes concerns raised by regulators and industry peers about the misleading nature of Tesla's self-driving technology, the hasty approach taken by the company, and the potential risks posed to public safety due to the system's limitations and failures [118477]. |