An unapproved test drive of Tesla’s self-driving technology through Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) earlier this year has raised concerns among local authorities and experts. The Victorian government confirmed that the test, which was captured on video and shared on social media in May, did not receive official approval.
The footage, posted on the platform X, depicted a Tesla vehicle navigating the bustling streets of Melbourne with the driver’s hands noticeably off the steering wheel. The post claimed the car successfully executed one of Melbourne’s challenging hook turns, a maneuver that often perplexes even seasoned drivers.
Under Victorian law, conducting trials of automated vehicles requires a special permit to ensure safety on public roads. However, the Department of Transport and Planning stated, “The Department has not approved any testing of fully autonomous vehicles in Melbourne’s CBD and will continue to engage with Tesla.”
Concerns from Experts and Authorities
Michael Milford, the director of the QUT Centre for Robotics, expressed alarm over the unauthorized test. “For such a test to go forward, you would definitely want full approval and endorsement from the relevant authorities,” he told 7.30, an Australian current affairs program.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology is part of the company’s vision for a “fully autonomous future.” According to Tesla, the FSD system allows vehicles to drive with minimal intervention, though it requires active driver supervision. Currently, FSD is available in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and China, with plans to expand to Australia and New Zealand.
Tesla maintains that “it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain control of the vehicle at all times.”
Professor Milford highlighted potential risks, noting that even attentive drivers might struggle to intervene quickly enough to prevent accidents if the vehicle malfunctions. “If the car had gone out of control in close proximity to those people, the driver would have had almost no chance of intervening quickly enough to prevent a major tragedy,” he explained.
Regulatory Differences and Legal Challenges
Meanwhile, in Brisbane, Tesla recently demonstrated its self-driving technology to YouTubers and media outlets. Videos from these demonstrations showed drivers sitting without hands on the steering wheel while the vehicles navigated suburban roads. Unlike Victoria, Queensland’s Transport Department stated that no special permit was required for Tesla’s demonstrations, although drivers must keep at least one hand on the steering wheel under local law.
In a related development, Tesla is facing a class-action lawsuit in the Federal Court over allegations of “phantom braking,” where vehicles reportedly brake suddenly without cause. The lawsuit involves thousands of drivers who have experienced these incidents, which they claim pose serious safety risks.
“There’s a big argument to be had about whether, when your car slams on the brakes on the highway, whether you are capable as a human of responsibly taking over,” Professor Milford noted.
Tesla has defended its technology, stating in court documents that various factors, such as road debris or weather conditions, can affect the performance of its Automatic Emergency Braking system. The company insists that drivers must remain responsible for vehicle control at all times.
International Scrutiny and Whistleblower Revelations
Globally, Tesla’s self-driving technology has been under scrutiny. In the United States, the company has faced lawsuits alleging that its autopilot system caused fatal accidents. Despite these claims, Tesla continues to emphasize driver responsibility.
Adding to the controversy, a former Tesla employee leaked thousands of documents to investigative journalists in late 2022. These documents, obtained by Sonke Iwersen and Michael Verfurden of the German newspaper Handelsblatt, included numerous customer complaints about Tesla’s autopilot system.
“These people are really angry, something is missing in their lives and they can’t find, in their view, closure, until they know exactly what happened,” Iwersen remarked, referring to families affected by Tesla-related accidents.
The leaked documents have fueled calls for greater accountability and transparency from Tesla, with critics arguing that the company should be held to the same standards as other automakers.
As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology, the debate over safety, regulation, and responsibility remains at the forefront. The Melbourne incident underscores the need for clear guidelines and oversight as the automotive industry navigates this rapidly evolving landscape.
