Tesla will begin distributing a new version of its autopilot system to owners of the all-electric Model S sedan on Thursday. There is now increasing global regulatory scrutiny of Tesla driver assistance technologies.
Features of Tesla's autonomous driving system have come under scrutiny in Germany. German newspaper Bild quoted a spokesman for the German Federal Road Transport Authority (KBA) as saying that the KBA is looking into Tesla's automatic lane change feature and whether it is approved for use in Europe. At the same time, KBA is also in contact with the Dutch car agency responsible for approving Tesla vehicles for sale in Europe.
Growing scrutiny from regulators poses risks to the commercialization of Tesla's self-driving car technology. Last week, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a second investigation into possible flaws in Autopilot. The latest investigation in Germany exacerbates the regulatory hurdles Tesla faces in the country. Tesla's first European plant, near Berlin, has been running slower than expected due to backlash from environmental groups concerned about water use and pollution.
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