This U.S. agency wants to improve self-driving vehicle incident reporting

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The top U.S. automotive agency has detailed a proposal to create rules around reporting and transparency for vehicles with self-driving features, coming at a crucial moment as companies race to deploy commercial robotaxis.

On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a press release detailing a proposal for rules on a voluntary national framework for automated driving systems (ADS), coming as the first such program to be proposed. The rules would also effectively accelerate the process of gaining exemptions from current limitations to allow companies to deploy ADS-equipped vehicles more quickly and at a greater volume.

Dubbed the ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program (AV STEP), the program would be open to any companies that operate or plan to operate compliant self-driving automobiles on public roads, and aiming to increase transparency into self-driving vehicles.

“AV STEP would provide a valuable national framework at a pivotal time in the development of ADS technology. Safe, transparent, and responsible development is critical for this technology to be trusted by the public and reach its full potential. This proposal lays the foundation for those goals and supports NHTSA’s safety mission,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Adam Raviv said. “We encourage everyone to comment on our proposed program.”

The agency formally issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for such a framework. If passed, the regulations would both increase the amount of publicly available info for self-driving vehicles in the U.S., and it would focus on offering vehicle manufacturers, operators, and municipalities more data on public awareness of the technology and incidents related to vehicles equipped with ADS systems.

READ MORE ON SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES: California regulators add new reporting requirements for self-driving cars

AV STEP would also create two new exemption processes for ADS systems to be deployed, offering increased regulatory flexibility for companies aiming to launch commercial services. The agency also says that it will provide a period for public comment upon the publication of the rules, under docket No. NHTSA-2024-0100.

You can see one version of the full NHTSA proposal below, which the agency says is not the official version but has been prepared for internet circulation.

President-elect Donald Trump plans for self-driving vehicles

President-elect Donald Trump was reportedly looking to eliminate existing rules surrounding automated driving crash reports, largely expected to help streamline automated vehicle development for Tesla—especially with CEO Elon Musk set to serve in Trump’s administration.

Last month, a report from Bloomberg said that Trump’s transition team was working on a federal framework for self-driving vehicles, and to make automated driving a top priority during his upcoming term. Under current NHTSA rules, self-driving vehicles without a steering wheel or accelerator pedals aren’t permitted to be deployed at volume, which would obviously need to be changed in order to accommodate Tesla’s Cybercab and other similar vehicle platforms.

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Tesla named ‘most-trusted’ brand developing fully-autonomous vehicles

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U.S. agency proposes rules for self-driving vehicle incident reporting





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NHTSA finally acknowledges Tesla will fix recalls with software updates

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is finally acknowledging that some recalls will be fixed with Over-the-Air software updates and not physical visits to a service center. This is a hotly contested issue that many people have raised, Tesla fans mostly, who have had issues with their vehicles remedied with a simple download.

This morning, Tesla initiated a recall of 694,304 vehicles across most of its lineup to help fix an issue with a non-illuminated tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). It will be fixed with an Over-the-Air software update.

The NHTSA now notes below the recalls that will be fixed with this convenient method that they are resolved with software updates:

It is a big step in the right direction as many, even Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have called for updated terminology for recalls over the past several years.

Elon Musk calls on NHTSA to update terminology following 1M unit Tesla ‘recall’

Although the NHTSA has acknowledged in its notices that the issues will be resolved with software updates, this is the first time we are seeing this note directly below the title of the recall on its website.

The issue impacts 2024 Cybertrucks, 2017-2025 Model 3s, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles, and could fail to warn drivers of low tire pressure in their vehicles. The lack of illumination from the TPMS light is a violation of FMVSS 138, S4.4(b)(3), which states:

“Continues to illuminate the TPMS malfunction telltale under the conditions specified in S4.4(a) for as long as the malfunction exists, whenever the ignition locking system is in the “On” (“Run”) position.”

Tesla will resolve it with the update, which will remedy the issue without any need for physical service.

As of December 13, Tesla is not aware of any injuries or accidents stemming from this issue.

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NHTSA finally acknowledges Tesla will fix recalls with software updates





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Tesla uses this Cybertruck wiper Easter Egg to help efficiency and aerodynamics

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Tesla uses a little-known Cybertruck Easter Egg with the massive windshield wiper to help with efficiency and aerodynamics.

The Easter Egg is called “Aero Mode,” and it all has to do with the positioning of the obnoxiously large windshield wiper that Tesla installed on the Cybertruck.

According to the Cybertruck’s Lead Engineer, Wes Morrill, Aero Mode positions the wiper vertically along the A Pillar of the all-electric pickup.

It activates the mode automatically at higher speeds and helps decrease drag, which is a very important metric to minimize, especially for EVs, as it can greatly decrease range if it is not managed correctly.

The tidbit was shared by Morrill with Matt Wallace:

The wiper will physically move to this position at higher speeds to help with range and aerodynamics.

Wallace said he has seen the wiper shift to this position while he drives his Cybertruck on the highway at certain speeds. Initially, he thought it was an issue with the wiper itself, thinking it was loose or not installed properly.

“Turns out it has a purpose,” he said.

It is just one of many features across the Tesla lineup that goes under the radar but was drafted up by company engineers to make the vehicle more efficient. Range loss and combating drag while driving an EV are usually always on the minds of the engineers at any manufacturer.

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Tesla uses this Cybertruck wiper Easter Egg to help efficiency and aerodynamics





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