Tesla has just introduced 'Mad Max mode' and it's already sparked an investigation

Tesla has just introduced ‘Mad Max mode’ and it’s already sparked an investigation. n

The American manufacturer has rolled out a series of new driving modes for its full self-driving (FSD) feature.

One was ‘Sloth’, which relaxed acceleration, and another was ‘Mad Max’ which took driving to the other extreme.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now looking into the latter for further information.

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Why an investigation was sparked after Tesla introduced Mad Max Mode

Last week, Reuters reported that the NHTSA was seeking further information from Tesla about the ‘Mad Max Mode’.

“NHTSA is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information,” the agency said.

They reminded drivers that ‘the human behind the wheel is fully responsible for driving the vehicle and complying with all traffic safety laws’.

This came after the NHTSA announced it had opened an investigation into 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with a FSD system.

The agency said it was doing so after reports of traffic safety violations.

On social media, Tesla described Mad Max Mode as weaving ‘through traffic at an incredible pace, all while still being super smooth. It drives your car like a sports car. If you are running late, this is the mode for you’.

Supercar Blondie has reached out to Tesla for comment.

Tesla’s FSD has constantly been at the center of controversy

Ever since the company introduced FSD technology, there have been disputes over its merits.

Earlier this year, California’s DMV sought to ban sales of Tesla vehicles for 30 days over concerns that people were being misled over the FSD.

The disputes around the capabilities of the technology has led the manufacturer to redefine FSD.

FSD technically qualifies as Level 2 Autonomy, which requires humans to be there to jump into action if things go wrong with the tech. 

The new FSD definition appeared in a filing with the SEC, where it was described as: “An advanced driving system, regardless of the marketing name used, that is capable of performing transportation tasks that provide autonomous or similar functionality under specified driving conditions.”

This broader definition aimed to swerve any accusation that people were being misled.

Insofar as the technology has performed in real-life situations, it’s been a mixed bag.

One owner put it to the test by simulating pedestrians in the street and it didn’t go well.

But then it outperformed when compared to rivals in a Chinese test.

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