In the bustling city of San Francisco, various devices are being marketed with seemingly innocent purposes like holding cellphones or serving as safety hammers. Some claim to relieve shoulder pain, while others are simply labeled as “wheel weights” or “wheel knobs.” However, these devices all share a common goal – to allow Tesla drivers to take their hands off the wheel.
As Tesla has expanded its “Full Self-Driving” technology from 12,000 vehicles to over 400,000 in the past year, the demand for steering wheel weights has skyrocketed. Despite Tesla’s efforts to discourage their use, these devices have been involved in at least two recent traffic incidents. In North Carolina, a Tesla crashed into a teenager getting off a school bus, causing severe injuries. In Germany, a driver fell asleep while a Tesla in Autopilot mode led police on a high-speed chase.
Tesla requires drivers to keep their hands on the wheel while using its driver-assistance systems – Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. These systems send periodic reminders to ensure driver engagement. However, by replicating the pressure of a driver’s hands, the wheel weights silence these reminders and allow drivers to deceive the system. This can lead to dangerous situations, as drivers may mistakenly believe the car is capable of fully autonomous driving.
Until recently, these wheel weights were widely available for purchase on online shopping sites like Alibaba’s AliExpress and Amazon. They even ranked as the top two releases in Amazon’s “automotive steering wheels” category. However, after being brought to their attention, both Amazon and Alibaba removed the listings due to safety concerns and policy violations.
It remains unclear how the drivers involved in the accidents obtained these weights and what forms they took. Although the weights themselves are not illegal, federal regulators have deemed one particular device “unsafe.” Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk have not responded to inquiries about these incidents.
Tesla has consistently emphasized the safety of its Autopilot technology compared to traditional driving. However, incidents involving Autopilot-related fatalities and serious injuries have surged in the past year, possibly due to wider adoption of the technology. Tesla instructs drivers to remain alert and ready to intervene at all times when using Autopilot.
In an effort to ensure driver attentiveness, Tesla’s software is designed to detect the presence of any “defeat devices” that may undermine its safety features. If such a device is detected, drivers receive a warning message, and if they repeatedly ignore the warnings, they may be locked out from using Autopilot on that trip. Tesla has also implemented camera-based driver monitoring as an additional safety measure.
Despite these precautions, various defeat devices, such as Autopilot Buddy and Buddy Steering Wheel Booster, have been available for purchase for years. These devices, priced between $30 and $75, have seen a recent surge in sales. Both Amazon and AliExpress have taken steps to remove these products from their platforms due to their policy violations and potential safety risks.
Safety experts have long expressed concerns about defeat devices, and measures have been taken to crack down on their distribution. However, recent incidents suggest that these devices are gaining popularity again. Additionally, a hacker recently discovered a hidden mode in Tesla’s software that appears to disable the reminders to pay attention, potentially eliminating the need for steering wheel weights.
In conclusion, the use of steering wheel weights to trick Tesla’s Autopilot system is a concerning trend. Despite Tesla’s attempts to discourage their use, these devices have been involved in accidents and pose a risk to driver safety. Platforms like Amazon and AliExpress have taken steps to remove these products, but vigilance is necessary to prevent their circulation. The incidents highlight the importance of driver responsibility and the need for continued research into autonomous vehicle safety.
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