Tesla self-driving test driver: ‘you’re running on adrenaline the entire eight-hour shift’
A new report based on interviews with former test drivers who were part of Tesla’s internal self-driving team reveals the dangerous extremes Tesla is willing to go to test its autonomous driving technologies.
While you can make the argument that Tesla’s customers are self-driving test drivers as the automaker is deploying what it calls its “supervised self-driving” (FSD) system, the company also operates an internal fleet of testers.
We previously reported on Tesla hiring drivers all over the country to test its latest ‘FSD’ software updates.
Now, Business Insider is out with a new report after interviewing nine of those test drivers who are working on a specific project called ‘Rodeo’. They describe the project:
Test drivers said they sometimes navigated perilous scenarios, particularly those drivers on Project Rodeo’s “critical intervention” team, who say they’re trained to wait as long as possible before taking over the car’s controls. Tesla engineers say there’s a reason for this: The longer the car continues to drive itself, the more data they have to work with. Experts in self-driving tech and safety say this type of approach could speed up the software’s development but risks the safety of the test drivers and people on public roads.
One of those former test drivers described it as “a cowboy on a bull and you’re just trying to hang on as long as you can” – hence the program’s name.
Other than sometimes using a version of Tesla FSD that hasn’t been released to customers, the test drivers generally use FSD like most customers, with the main difference being that they are more frequently trying to push it to the limits.
Business Insider explains in more detail the “critical intervention team” with project Rodeo:
Critical-intervention test drivers, who are among Project Rodeo’s most experienced, let the software continue driving even after it makes a mistake. They’re trained to stage “interventions” — taking manual control of the car — only to prevent a crash, said the three critical-intervention drivers and five other drivers familiar with the team’s mission. Drivers on the team and internal documents say that cars rolled through red lights, swerved into other lanes, or failed to follow posted speed limits while FSD was engaged. The drivers said they allowed FSD to remain in control during these incidents because supervisors encouraged them to try to avoid taking over.
These are behaviors that FSD is known to do in customer vehicles, but drivers generally take over before it goes too far.
The goal of this team is to go too far.
One of the test drivers said:
“You’re pretty much running on adrenaline the entire eight-hour shift. There’s this feeling that you’re on the edge of something going seriously wrong.”
Another test driver described how Tesla FSD came within a couple of feet from hitting a cyclist:
“I vividly remember this guy jumping off his bike. He was terrified. The car lunged at him, and all I could do was stomp on the brakes.”
The team was reportedly pleased by the incident. “He told me, ‘That was perfect.’ That was exactly what they wanted me to do,” said the driver.
You can read the full Business Insider report for many more examples of the team doing very dangerous things around unsuspecting members of the public, including pedestrians and cyclists.
How does this compare to other companies developing self-driving technology?
Market leader Waymo reportedly does have a team doing similar work as Tesla’s Rodeo “critical intervention team”, but the difference is that they do the testing in closed environments with dummies.
Electrek’s Take
This appears to be a symptom of Tesla’s start-up approach of “move fast, break things”, but I don’t think it’s appropriate.
To be fair, none of the nine test drivers interviewed by BI said that they were in an accident, but they all described some very dangerous situations in which outsiders were dragged into the testing without their knowledge.
I think that’s a bad idea and ethically wrong. Elon Musk claims that Tesla is about “safety first”, but the examples in this report sound anything but safe.
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Kia introduced its new Syros SUV last week. Although it was launched with a gas-powered engine, Kia plans to launch the all-electric version soon. The new Kia Syros EV will share underpinnings with the Hyundai Inster EV as its latest low-cost electric model.
What we know about the upcoming Kia Syros EV
India’s EV market is expected to surge over the next few years. In 2024, the India EV market is projected to be valued at around $24 billion. That number is expected to reach nearly $118 billion by 2032.
Kia is looking to take advantage of the transition. After launching its first vehicle (Seltos) in India in 2019, Kia is already one of the top 10 auto manufacturers in the region.
The Korean auto giant has added several models to its lineup, including the Sonet, Carnival, Caren, and electric EV6 and EV9 SUVs.
Just last week, the Kia Syros made its global debut. Kia calls the compact SUV “revolutionary,” but there’s one problem: it only has two gas-powered engine options. That will soon change. According to Autocar India, Kia will launch the Syros EV in India in early 2025.
Although no other details were confirmed, the Kia Syros EV will share its K1 platform with the Hyundai Inster EV. Hyundai’s compact electric crossover has two battery options, 42 kWh and 49 kWh, good for 300 km (186 mi) to 355 km (220 mi) range on the WLTP cycle.
In Europe, the Inster EV starts at around $30,000. In Korea, the electric crossover is known as the Casper Electric, and prices, including incentives, start around $20,000.
Kia’s new electric SUV is expected to start in the price range of Rs 15 lakh-20 lakh (ex-showroom), or around $17,500 to $23,500.
Despite the difference in powertrain, the electric version is expected to have the same styling and features as the gas-powered models. Kia expects between 50,000 and 60,000 in sales between the upcoming electric Carens and Syros EV models by 2026.
The company is launching a series of more affordable, mass-market EVs globally, including the EV3, EV4, and EV5, to secure its spot in the industry as it shifts to electric vehicles.
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Hyundai is about to take the next steps as it preps to launch production of its “game-changing” all-solid-state batteries. The new EV battery tech promises a longer driving range, faster charging, and significantly higher energy density. Here’s what to expect.
When are Hyundai’s all-solid-state EV batteries coming?
Last June, Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon revealed a massive $7.3 billion (9.5 trillion won) investment to advance electric vehicle battery development over the next decade.
Hyundai plans to develop various EV batteries, including LFP, NCM, and all-solid-state, to cover a wide range of segments. According to sources familiar with the matter (via TheKoreanCarBlog), Hyundai’s all-solid-state EV batteries are about to hit a significant milestone.
On December 23, industry sources claimed Hyundai was almost done establishing an all-solid-state battery production demo line.
An official close to the project said the equipment for individual processes is almost complete. Now, only the logistics automation portion remains.
Hyundai plans to begin testing electric vehicles with all-solid-state batteries by 2025. By the end of the decade, mass production is scheduled to start.
The production line is at Hyundai’s Uiwang Research & Development Center in Korea. Hyundai has 22 joint research projects across four divisions, including lithium metal batteries, solid-state batteries, battery management systems, and battery process technology. Of these, 14 will be related to lithium metal and solid-state batteries.
Hyundai said the initiatives will “pave the way for South Korea to become one of the world’s leading battery technology houses.”
In September, Hyundai and Kia launched a joint project to develop a precursor for LFP battery cathode material for upcoming lower-priced EV models. Hyundai plans to launch EVs with LFP batteries developed in-house in 2025.
The news comes after Honda unveiled its all-solid-state battery demo production line just last month. Honda also plans to launch EVs powered by the new battery tech by 2030.
Factorial, which teamed up with Mercedes-Benz, announced its “Solstice” all-solid-state battery cells have been scaled to 40Ah capacity, a new milestone. With “breakthrough” energy density of up to 450 Wh/kg, Factorial claims its battery tech can boost EV range by up to 80%, or around 600 miles.
Electrek’s Take
With the promise of unlocking more range and faster charging at a much higher energy density, many carmakers and other companies are rushing to unlock all-solid-state EV batteries.
Global battery leaders like CATL, BYD, and Samsung SDI, as well as carmakers like Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and Hyundai, are advancing the new technology. However, concerns over safety and manufacturing hurdles remain a challenge.
According to the latest SNE Research figures, China’s CATL remains the global EV battery leader with a commanding 36.8% share of the market through the first ten months of 2024. BYD was second with a 16.8% share, while Korea’s LG Energy placed third with an 11.8% share.
Will the next generation of EV batteries shake up the list? Hyundai hopes to make its mark with a new all-solid-sate EV battery production pilot line that will be coming online soon.
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![BYD's new EV plant in Brazil suddenly halted over 'slavery' worker conditions [Update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/BYD-cheapest-electric-car.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Construction at BYD’s new EV plant in Brazil was suddenly halted Monday after authorities found Chinese workers in “slavery-like” conditions. The workers were hired in China by another firm, and BYD has since cut ties. BYD and the firm are now saying the term “slavery” was unjustly used, and some translations may have been misunderstood.
Why construction at BYD’s EV plant in Brazil is halted
Updated 12/26/24: This article has been updated with the latest information, including a statement from Jinjiang Group and comments from BYD’s general manager of public relations, Li Yunfei. Read more below.
According to a statement from the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT), 163 workers at the construction site of BYD’s new EV plant in Salvador, Brazil, were “being held in conditions analogous to slavery.”
Construction on the site was halted on Monday after the findings. According to the authorities, Jinjiang Group, one of the contractors BYD hired to build the new EV plant, hired the workers in China.
BYD released a statement saying it has cut ties with Jinjiang and is assisting the victims as it works with Brazilian authorities. All workers will be transferred to hotels. They will not be able to work and will have their contracts terminated.
Alexandre Baldy, senior vice president of BYD Brazil, said the company remains “committed to full compliance with Brazilian legislation, especially with regard to the protection of workers’ rights and human dignity.”
The MPT statement detailed the extreme “slavery-like” worker conditions. For example, they had one bathroom for every 31 workers, forcing them to wake up at 4 am to get in line to be ready for work at 5:30 am. They slept without mattresses on the bed, and the kitchens operated in “alarming conditions.”
If a worker quit after six months, they would leave the country without any pay after factoring in the cost of a round-trip airplane ticket.
BYD said it has held a “detailed review” over the past few weeks. The Chinese EV giant asked Jinjiang several times to improve the conditions.
A joint virtual hearing of the MPT and MTE is scheduled for December 26. The MPT said the need for new “on-site inspections” has not been ruled out. BYD’s new EV plant is set to begin production next year. Check back soon for more updates on the situation.
Update 12/26/24: Jinjian Group said the portrayal of its employees working in “slavery-like” conditions was inconsistent, and some of the translations may have been misunderstood.
“Being unjustly labeled as ‘enslaved’ has made our employees feel that their dignity has been insulted and their human rights violated, seriously hurting the dignity of the Chinese people,” Jinjiang said in a social media post (via Reuters). The company issued a joint letter to issue an apology.
BYD’s general manager of public relations, Li Yunfei, reposted the statement. Li added that “foreign forces” and some other members of the media were “deliberately smearing Chinese brands.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, said the Chinese embassy in Brazil was in talks with leaders in the region to verify the accusations.
BYD is already a top-selling EV brand in Brazil. In October, it launched its first pickup, the Shark PHEV. The pickup is BYD’s sixth vehicle in Brazil, joining other popular models like the Dolphin Mini (Seagull), Yuan Plus, and Dolphin.
Once up and running, which was expected later this year or early 2025, BYD’s Brazil plant will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
Source: Bloomberg, Brazil Public Ministry of Labor
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