Shedding light on Tesla’s black boxes

Tesla technician at work. © Tesla.

A team of researchers at the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) successfully deciphered the data storage system of Tesla cars. This research was intended to provide access to a wealth of information that can be useful in accident investigations.

We already knew that Tesla records the road behavior of its customers, for example to improve its Autopilot assistance system, and most recently, to offer insurance premiums tailored to their driving style. Researchers, however, found that Tesla’s vehicles store far more detailed data than previously thought, including speed, accelerator pedal position, steering wheel angle and brake usage. This decryption reveals more information than what Tesla usually provides to investigators. “It would be good if this data would become available more often for forensic investigations,” said Francis Hoogendijk, an NFI investigator. “Now that we know what kind of data can be obtained from a Tesla, certain data can be requested even more specifically for the purpose of finding the truth after an accident.” According to the Institute, some of this data is kept for up to a year. No doubt the information from the NFI could be of interest to US investigators who are currently working on a dozen accidents involving Tesla cars and emergency vehicles when the Autopilot system is in use.

⇨ The Verge, Sean O'Kane, “Tesla rolls out Safety Score-based insurance product in Texas.”

⇨ The Verge, Andrew J. Hawkins, “Tesla’s driving data storage system hacked by Dutch investigators.”

2021-10-21