The moment a Tesla Model 3 car crashed into an overturned truck has been caught on camera, in what seems to be an Autopilot failure.
The crash took place on Taiwan’s National Highway 1 this week, and saw a Tesla crash into the roof of an overturned truck trailer.
Thankfully, no-one was hurt in the crash, although the Tesla was severely damaged, and appears to be covered in a brown liquid.
While it remains unclear whether the Tesla was in Autopilot mode during the incident, news reports from Taiawanese media indicate that this is the case.
One report explained: “The Fourth Highway Police Brigade said that driving Tesla was a 53-year-old man named Huang, who claimed to have turned on the vehicle assist system at the time.
“It was thought that the vehicle would detect an obstacle and slow down or stop, but the car still moved at a fixed speed, so when the brakes were to be applied at the last moment, it would be too late to cause a disaster.”
Tesla maintains that its Autopilot system should not be seen as a driverless alternative.
On its website, Tesla says: “Autopilot advanced safety and convenience features are designed to assist you with the most burdensome parts of driving. Autopilot introduces new features and improves existing functionality to make your Tesla safer and more capable over time.
“Autopilot enables your car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within its lane.
“Current Autopilot features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous.”
Tesla is yet to comment on this incident. However, this wouldn’t be the first time that a Tesla has crashed while in Autopilot mode.
For example, Tesla hit the headlines last year after one of its cars was involved in a fatal collision in Florida.
The incident saw a Tesla Model 3 crash into a semi-truck, sadly killing the driver in the process.
A follow-up report by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the Tesla had Autopilot mode activated seconds before the crash.
Jeremy Banner was behind the wheel of the Tesla on a four-lane highway in Palm Beach County, when the semi-truck pulled out in front of him.
Despite having Autopilot mode activated, the Tesla slid under the truck’s trailer, cutting off the top of the car, and killing Mr Banner.
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