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Ex-Uber Self-Driving Leader Says Tesla FSD Crash Exposes Risk of Near-Autonomy

His firsthand account underscores how almost-reliable driver-assist systems can lull supervisors into slow takeovers.

Overview

  • Raffi Krikorian writes that his Tesla Model X, operating in Full Self-Driving mode, struck a wall in San Francisco last year, resulting in a total loss and a concussion for him, with his children uninjured.
  • He describes unexpected steering and braking before he tried to retake control, saying he does not know why the system behaved that way.
  • Krikorian argues the larger danger is human overtrust in systems that feel nearly flawless, echoing research showing drivers can need up to eight seconds to fully resume control.
  • Tesla did not comment on his account, as regulators continue probing documented FSD errors such as lane placement, red-light compliance and crossing judgments.
  • Legal pressure has intensified, including a roughly $242 million damages award tied to a 2019 fatal crash and a California ruling that Tesla’s advertising overstated vehicle autonomy.