Europe keeping an eye on Tesla's Autopilot problems, too

Various US federal government factions are already interested in learning more about Tesla Motors’ Autopilot software. Whether its the
US Senate, the
NHTSA, or the
SEC, people here are trying to figure out just what Tesla means when it says the technology is still in ‘beta’ and just how safe it is. Over in Europe, it’s more of the same.

RDW, the vehicle regulatory agency in Holland and which certifies the Model S’ roadworthiness in Europe, has entered into an “informal exchange” of information with the NHTSA for data about the
fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S that happened May 7th in Florida. RDW is also talking to Tesla. RDW’s manager for vehicle admission and supervision, Hans Lammers,
told
Reuters that, “We heard about it in the press at first. Of course we look into it because it is important.” There’s no sign that RDW is looking to shut down Autopilot, though. Even though the Autopilot software operates a bit different in Europe, Lammers said, “We think there is nothing wrong with the system if correctly used. … From a functional point of view it is no different from systems approved for other manufacturers.”

It’s important that RDW is in charge of the certification for all of Europe, because the German
Federal Office for Motor Vehicles (KBA) said recently that it would not have approved Tesla’s Autopilot tech since it was still in beta. The Welt am Sonntag got a statement from KBA that said, “If the word beta-phase means an incomplete status of the software, the KBA would not authorize (such) a functionality.”

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