U.S. Tesla Autopilot Name Use Regulations, May Cause Consumer Misunderstanding

*This content was translated by AI.

Recently, the California Department of Vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "DMV") warned of strong regulatory measures, pointing out that Tesla's autonomous driving software names, Autopilot (Autopilot) and Full Self-Driving (FSD), cause misunderstandings among consumers.

The DMV believes that the term "autonomous driving" used by Tesla exaggerates the function of the actual vehicle, and has made it clear that advertising as if the vehicle could drive completely on its own could be a false advertisement, even though it is a level 2 technology that requires constant attention from the driver.

Behind the tightening of regulations lies a series of accidents and subsequent safety controversies while using Tesla's Autopilot function, and regulators are seriously aware of drivers' failure to comply with safety rules such as forward-looking neglect because they mistake the auxiliary system for a fully autonomous driving system.

The California DMV is reportedly calling on Tesla to review the appropriateness of its use of the name, and is considering a super-strong move to suspend or revoke Tesla's manufacturing and sales licenses in California if it fails to modify its advertising methods or violates regulations.In response, Tesla refuted that the names "Autopilot" and "FSD" represent the direction of technology, and that the user manual and vehicle screen sufficiently notify the driver that he should always hold the steering wheel and watch the driving situation, suggesting the possibility of legal action.

However, civic groups and safety experts are calling for a name that clearly reveals technical limitations, and simply inserting warning phrases is not enough because the implications of Tesla's marketing terminology are so great. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also conducting a detailed investigation into Tesla's autonomous driving system, the California DMV's move is expected to have a significant impact on the federal government's regulatory direction.

The industry believes that the incident will be a wake-up call for all automakers developing self-driving technology, and social demands to deliver accurate information to consumers from the technology's name selection to the marketing stage are expected to increase. Tesla is currently responding to regulatory pressure by strengthening its driver monitoring system through software updates and increasing the frequency of calling attention, but it remains adamant about the fundamental demand for a name change, drawing attention to the future.

Eventually, the controversy became a symbolic example of how laws and institutions will catch up and coordinate the pace of innovative technology development, and the legal and social battle in the United States to find a balance between safety and innovation is expected to continue for the time being. As a result, there is a possibility that the game of the autonomous driving market will change significantly in the future depending on whether Tesla will find a compromise with regulators or try to justify its marketing through legal battles.

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*This content was translated by AI.