One-Pedal Driving: A Clear Conclusion Amidst Safety Concerns Automotive technology controversies related to Tesla are once again drawing significant attention. Recently, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that there are no safety defects in Tesla vehicles' 'one-pedal driving' (regenerative braking) system, in response to a recall petition. This decision effectively blocks the possibility of a large-scale recall involving approximately 2.2 million Tesla vehicles and is interpreted as an acknowledgment of the safety of Tesla's proprietary technology. However, at the same time, the expansion of investigations into the 'Full Self-Driving (FSD)' system, which is considered the core of autonomous driving technology, indicates that regulatory authorities continue to view Tesla with strict scrutiny. One-pedal driving is a regenerative braking method frequently used in electric vehicles, not internal combustion engine cars, allowing drivers to control both acceleration and deceleration using only the accelerator pedal. This technology reduces the inconvenience of frequently lifting and pressing the foot, and it also recharges the battery by recovering energy generated during braking. However, a petition filed with NHTSA in March 2023, approximately three years ago, claimed that this technology could cause 'unintended acceleration' and called for a large-scale recall. The petition targeted approximately 2.2 million Tesla vehicles produced since 2013, raising doubts among Tesla users by alleging the possibility of sudden unintended acceleration due to driver error. The safety controversy surrounding the one-pedal driving system subsequently spread globally. However, through in-depth investigation, NHTSA confirmed that the incidence of related accidents was extremely rare and that the system operated normally according to driver input. Specifically, vehicle data analysis showed that the system responded accurately to the driver's actions of pressing or releasing the accelerator pedal, and unintended acceleration resulted from driver pedal misapplication, not a system defect. NHTSA also emphasized that one-pedal driving is not a unique Tesla technology but a common regenerative braking method adopted by many EV manufacturers. This technology is gradually becoming a standard in the modern EV ecosystem and is one of the key features that enhance the energy efficiency of electric vehicles. With this decision, Tesla has been completely freed from the threat of a large-scale recall related to one-pedal driving and has received official recognition for the safety of this technology. However, not all of Tesla's technologies have received regulatory approval. Concurrently, NHTSA announced an expansion of its investigation into issues with Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving (FSD)' system, with reviews planned for approximately 3.2 million vehicles. This number is over 1 million more than the 2.2 million vehicles subject to the one-pedal driving investigation, suggesting that NHTSA views the FSD issues with greater seriousness. The primary focus of the investigation relates to instances where FSD fails to adequately warn drivers in low-visibility conditions such as fog, glare, or dust, or fails to properly detect other vehicles. According to NHTSA's findings, the FSD system struggles to accurately perceive its surroundings under certain weather conditions, leading to an increased risk of collisions. FSD System: The Dual Nature of Autonomous Driving Technology What is more serious is that this investigation has moved beyond a preliminary evaluation phase and entered the engineering analysis stage. Engineering analysis is the most advanced stage of NHTSA's investigation process, and if safety defects are confirmed at this stage, it could lead to a large-scale recall order. Indeed, a fatal accident occurred in 2023 due to FSD malfunction, and Tesla's accident report submitted to NHTSA became a key basis for this expanded investigation. This fatality is reportedly due to FSD failing to properly perceive a preceding vehicle in low-visibility conditions, clearly demonstrating that Tesla's autonomous driving technology is not yet perfect. Regulatory concerns do not end there. In October 2023, approximately five months ago, NHTSA began a separate investigation following driver reports that FSD's 'Mad Max' mode caused routine vehicle speeding. Mad Max mode is one of FSD's driving style options, characterized by more aggressive lane changes and faster driving. However, some users pointed out that this mode encourages driving above the speed limit and could pose safety risks, especially in urban areas. These multiple investigations clearly demonstrate that regulatory authorities continuously demand strict safety verification for Tesla's advanced technologies. This leads us to an interesting question. Why is Tesla's autonomous driving technology particularly embroiled in so many controversies? On one hand, it's
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