A new ruling from Germany means that authorities are now reviewing Tesla's assistance systems – including the autopilot – for errors.
German authorities are currently investigating Tesla. Specifically, they want to investigate whether the brand's assistance systems are suitable for use in regular passenger cars.
The investigation comes amid several complaints about the systems' functionality. Several Tesla owners are complaining, among other things, that their cars brake unexpectedly and harshly. This is also known as phantom braking.
According to Handelsblatt, the German answer to the Danish Road Traffic Authority, KBA, is currently testing emergency braking and other assistance systems in Tesla cars.
The investigations are not complete. For the same reason, the Germans cannot draw any conclusions.
But the investigation into the car's assistance systems will be "carried out independently of ongoing civil lawsuits," the KBA says.
The KBA states that they are aware of a new ruling in which Tesla's autopilot system is called "deficient" and not suitable for "general use".
The case concerns phantom braking in a Tesla Model 3. And here the judge believes that the system does not offer functionality "that a consumer of a vehicle in that price range could expect."
Tesla responded that the vehicle technically worked as it should. Now, however, the American manufacturer must ensure that the cars do not brake without reason.
The Tesla owner's lawyer, on the other hand, has chosen to appeal the verdict, as the Model 3 owner does not believe the car brand can solve the entire problem with a software update.
Unlike most other automakers, Tesla only uses cameras for automated driving or the 'self-driving' features.
The footage from the cameras is analyzed by a computer in the car using artificial intelligence.
And Tesla thinks that's enough. At least the brand's directors have called both radar and Lidar sensors unnecessary. But not everyone agrees with him.
"The Federal Motor Transport Authority is currently investigating the matter," a spokesman told Handelsblatt.
The spokesman did not want to comment on the scope of the investigation, the number of potentially affected vehicles, or what they have concluded so far.
– If necessary, the KBA will take the necessary measures at an appropriate time, it says. Tesla has not responded to Handelsblatt's questions about the investigation of its Tesla cars.
