Latest news with #TheDawnProject
Courier-Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Tesla's FSD runs over child mannequin
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Two Tesla foes have joined forces to attack Elon and his automotive semi-autonomous driving technology. The Dawn Project and the Tesla Takedown movement have partnered to highlight what they claim are 'critical safety defects' in Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software. In a recent test conducted in the United States (US), a Tesla Model Y equipped with the latest version of Full Self-Driving (version 13.2.9) was presented with a common scenario: a school bus stopped on the side of the road with its flashing lights and stop signs activated. A child-sized mannequin was then pulled across the street, simulating a child attempting to catch the bus. Anti-Tesla activists testing FSD system. (Picture: The Dawn Project) Anti-Tesla activists testing FSD system. (Picture: The Dawn Project) MORE: Inside China's total domination of Australia The Tesla, travelling at an average speed of approximately 32 km/h, failed to stop at the bus stop sign and proceeded to strike the mannequin in each of the eight test runs. The system also reportedly failed to alert the driver to the collision. The tests come as Tesla prepares to launch robotaxis in the US, fully autonomous vehicles designed for taxi services. While Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the company is 'being super paranoid about safety' regarding its forthcoming robotaxi launch, organisers like The Dawn Project and Tesla Takedown aren't convinced. Tesla runs passed stop sign. (Picture: The Dawn Project) MORE: Crisis sends Australian fuel prices soaring The Dawn Project said, 'Full Self-Driving ran down the child mannequin while illegally blowing past the school bus on every single attempt.' 'Tesla's Full Self-Driving software did not disengage or even alert the driver to the fact there had been a collision on any of the test runs,' they added. However, it's important to note that the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is not fully autonomous but rather semi-autonomous. Tesla states explicitly that the system is designed for 'use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment.' Autonomous driving is a key pillar of investment for Tesla. Having introduced its 'Autopilot' driver assistance system more than a decade ago, Tesla doubled down on 'full self-driving' in the US. Anti-Tesla activists testing FSD system. (Picture: The Dawn Project) MORE: Magic mushies, booze kill off 'soft' utes Recently, Tesla was faced with a significant challenge after Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Build Your Dreams (BYD) unveiled its new driver-assistance system, 'God's Eye.' This innovative technology, which BYD has installed for free in some of its models, enables cars to drive themselves on highways and in urban environments. Some experts argue that 'God's Eye' is more advanced than Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, which costs nearly US $9,000 ($13,800) in China. Tesla's Full Self-Driving capability in Australia is currently being tested and is not yet fully legal for public use. However, the system could be arriving soon. Earlier this year, the EV giant published a video on of a Tesla Model 3 with prototype software successfully negotiating busy streets in inner-city Melbourne. 2025 Tesla Model Y. Picture: Mark Bean The brand's country director for Australia, Thom Drew, says an expansion of Tesla's driverless features is high on Elon Musk's list of priorities. 'That's Elon's push,' Drew said. 'We have a global engineering team that are working across markets around a lot of FSD… actively working across all our markets to roll it out.' Critics are watching closely as Tesla's Autopilot and FSD systems remain under investigation following a series of crashes and fatalities. Originally published as Tesla's Full Self-Driving system fails in 'safety test'
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Tesla Model Y fails self-driving test, hits child-sized dummies 8 times: Why Elon Musk should be worried
At a recent demonstration in Texas, a Tesla Model Y operating in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode was shown failing to stop for a stationary school bus and striking child-sized dummies. The tests, organised by advocacy groups The Dawn Project, Tesla Takedown, and ResistAustin, replicated the scenario eight times, each time with the Tesla Model Y ignoring the bus's flashing lights and stop signs. Video footage from the demonstration showed the vehicle driving past the bus and colliding with the mannequins intended to represent children. The demonstration has raised fresh concerns about the readiness of autonomous vehicle technology. Tesla's system—officially named Full Self-Driving (Supervised)—requires active driver supervision and issues escalating warnings if the driver does not respond. The company has repeatedly cautioned users that failure to comply could lead to serious injury or death. While Tesla was not involved in the demonstration, this is not the first time its autonomous technology has drawn scrutiny. In April 2024, a Tesla Model S using FSD was involved in a fatal accident in Washington State, in which a motorcyclist was killed. The Dawn Project, whose founder Dan O'Dowd also leads a company developing competing driver-assistance software, has previously run campaigns highlighting perceived flaws in Tesla's FSD system. The incident comes amid anticipation surrounding Tesla's new Cybercab, an all-electric, fully autonomous vehicle initially set for rollout on 22 June. Chief Executive Elon Musk has since hinted at a delay, saying the company is 'being super paranoid about safety' and suggesting the first vehicle to autonomously drive from the factory to a customer's home could launch on 28 June. Tentatively, June 22. We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift. First Tesla that drives itself from factory end of line all the way to a customer house is June 28. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2025 As the debate around autonomous vehicle safety intensifies, the industry continues to face questions about whether current technology can meet the expectations—and responsibilities—of full autonomy.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla blows past stopped school bus and hits kid-sized dummies in Full Self-Driving tests
A revealing demonstration with Tesla's Full Self-Driving mode is raising concerns about whether fully autonomous cars are ready to hit the streets. Tesla has reportedly pushed back the rollout of its upcoming all-electric, fully autonomous car called the Cybercab, while a recent demonstration in Austin, Texas showed a Tesla Model Y running through a school bus' flashing lights and stop signs, and hitting child-size mannequins. The tests were conducted by The Dawn Project, along with Tesla Takedown and ResistAustin, and showed Tesla's Full Self-Driving software repeating the same mistake eight times. It's worth noting that Tesla's autonomous driving feature is formally known as Full Self-Driving (Supervised) and "requires a fully attentive driver and will display a series of escalating warnings requiring driver response." Tesla even has a warning that says, "failure to follow these instructions could cause damage, serious injury or death." However, it's not the first time that Tesla's FSD software has found itself in hot water. The Dawn Project, whose founder Dan O'Dowd is the CEO of a company that offers competing automated driving system software, previously took out ads warning about the dangers of Tesla's Full Self-Driving and how it would fail to yield around school buses. In April 2024, a Model S using Full Self-Driving was involved in a crash in Washington, where a motorcyclist died. With anticipation building up for an eventual Cybercab rollout on June 22, the company's CEO posted some additional details on X. According to Elon Musk, Tesla is "being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift." Beyond that, Musk also posted that the "first Tesla that drives itself from factory end of line all the way to a customer house is June 28."
Engadget
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Engadget
Tesla blows past stopped school bus and hits kid-sized dummies in Full Self-Driving tests
A revealing demonstration with Tesla's Full Self-Driving mode is raising concerns about whether fully autonomous cars are ready to hit the streets. Tesla has reportedly pushed back the rollout of its upcoming all-electric, fully autonomous car called the Cybercab, while a recent demonstration in Austin, Texas showed a Tesla Model Y running through a school bus' flashing lights and stop signs, and hitting child-size mannequins. The tests were conducted by The Dawn Project, along with Tesla Takedown and ResistAustin, and showed Tesla's Full Self-Driving software repeating the same mistake eight times. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. It's worth noting that Tesla's autonomous driving feature is formally known as Full Self-Driving (Supervised) and "requires a fully attentive driver and will display a series of escalating warnings requiring driver response." Tesla even has a warning that says, "failure to follow these instructions could cause damage, serious injury or death." However, it's not the first time that Tesla's FSD software has found itself in hot water. The Dawn Project, whose founder Dan O'Dowd is the CEO of a company that offers competing automated driving system software, previously took out ads warning about the dangers of Tesla's Full Self-Driving and how it would fail to yield around school buses. In April 2024, a Model S using Full Self-Driving was involved in a crash in Washington, where a motorcyclist died. With anticipation building up for an eventual Cybercab rollout on June 22, the company's CEO posted some additional details on X. According to Elon Musk, Tesla is "being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift." Beyond that, Musk also posted that the "first Tesla that drives itself from factory end of line all the way to a customer house is June 28."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Dawn Project and Tesla Takedown to Demonstrate the Danger Tesla Full Self-Driving Poses to Children in Live Austin Safety Tests
AUSTIN, Texas, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Public safety advocacy group The Dawn Project is collaborating with Tesla Takedown to demonstrate the critical safety defects of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software in a live demonstration in Downtown Austin today. The Dawn Project, in partnership with Tesla Takedown and ResistAustin, will demonstrate that the latest version of Tesla Full Self-Driving, version 13.2.9, will run down a child crossing the road while illegally blowing past a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended. The event will begin at 11am CDT on Thursday 12 June at the intersection of Camacho and Mattie Streets by Mueller Park in Austin and the media and public are encouraged to attend. The organizations are choosing to conduct the demonstration on 12 June as it is the day which Bloomberg reported would mark the beginning of Tesla's Robotaxi service in Austin. Tesla has failed to meet this reported deadline and this week Elon Musk 'tentatively' set a new public launch date of 22 June. Tesla is also headquartered in Austin. Both The Dawn Project and Tesla Takedown are calling for a boycott of Tesla. For the past two years The Dawn Project has urged the public not to buy new Tesla vehicles and to sell their Tesla shares until the automaker fixes the safety critical defects in 'Full Self-Driving' and Tesla conclusively demonstrates that it is safe for use on public roads. Tesla Takedown has organized nationwide protests against Elon Musk and Tesla in recent months. The Dawn Project first warned Tesla that Full Self-Driving would illegally overtake stopped school buses in November 2022, via a full-page ad campaign in The New York Times. Tesla took no action to address the issue. The Dawn Project subsequently broadcasted a Super Bowl Commercial in February 2023 showing video footage of Tesla Full Self-Driving blowing past stopped school buses. Tesla still did nothing. Elon Musk's reaction was to crow on Twitter that the shocking footage would 'greatly increase public awareness that a Tesla can drive itself'. In March 2023, just one month after The Dawn Project's Super Bowl PSA, a self-driving Tesla illegally blew past a stopped school bus in North Carolina and struck a child, who was hospitalized with a fractured neck and broken leg. Commenting on the collaboration with Tesla Takedown, Founder of The Dawn Project Dan O'Dowd said: 'Self-driving software that illegally blows past stopped school buses and runs down children crossing the road must be banned immediately. Tesla's failure to address this critical safety defect demonstrates Elon Musk's utter negligence and contempt for public safety. If Tesla's engineers cannot fix this egregiously dangerous safety defect, they should be fired. If they can fix it but are choosing not to, they should be prosecuted. 'The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration must step up and ban Full Self-Driving from public roads to protect children. It is disappointing that the federal regulator in charge of road safety has taken no action to hold Tesla accountable. NHTSA must do its job and ban Tesla's defective Full Self-Driving technology from public roads before a child is killed.' A spokesperson for Tesla Takedown commented: 'The government is failing to protect children from Tesla Full Self-Driving by allowing Tesla to test defective software on public roads. It is time for the public to step up to keep children safe from Tesla Full Self-Driving. The only way to stop Elon Musk's reckless self-driving experiments is to boycott Tesla.' ResistAustin organizer, Nevin Kamath, commented: "Austinites are not Elon's personal crash-test dummies. ResistAustin is appalled that Musk chose our town as the launching pad for this dangerous technology and we encourage the people of Austin to boycott this dangerous service." CONTACT: Contact: Arthur Maltin, arthur@ / dawnproject@ / (+1) 805-335-7807
