Tesla Issues Software Updates as U.S. Regulator Expands Self-Driving Probe

Tesla has rolled out a series of software updates aimed at improving the performance and safety of its driver-assistance technology, particularly in areas such as obstacle detection, camera obstruction recognition, and vehicle response to moving objects like gates and barriers, according to U.S. safety regulators.

The updates are also designed to reduce system errors caused by environmental conditions such as snow, fog, or condensation that may block or reduce camera visibility — a key concern in camera-based autonomous driving systems.

The developments come as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intensified its investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Last month, the agency upgraded its probe to an “engineering analysis,” a more serious stage of investigation that often leads to vehicle recalls. The expanded investigation now covers approximately 3.2 million Tesla vehicles.

Tesla’s driver-assistance and self-driving technologies have been under increasing regulatory scrutiny due to concerns about crashes, limited camera visibility, and whether the system provides sufficient warnings to drivers in real-world driving conditions.

Previously, in October, the NHTSA opened an investigation into 2.9 million vehicles equipped with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system after receiving more than 50 reports involving traffic-safety violations and multiple crash incidents linked to the system.

The investigation highlights growing regulatory pressure on autonomous driving technology, as authorities work to ensure that advanced driver-assistance systems operate safely under varying road and weather conditions.