Tesla Model Y Doesn’t Run Over Children!

A viral video claims to demonstrate the inability of the Tesla Model Y equipped with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system to avoid a child crossing the street.

Eight trials, eight mannequins hit by a Tesla. A shocking scene, no doubt, but don’t be misled. Behind these images, the scientific rigor leaves much to be desired.

This setup was orchestrated by The Dawn Project, a group notoriously opposed to Tesla, funded by Dan O’Dowd, head of a competing company providing automotive software. This is not their first stunt; they had previously aired a negative ad during the Super Bowl to discredit Tesla. Therefore, this is far from a neutral or academic test.

Critics highlight several troubling elements. A constant speed of 20 mph, unmoving dummies with unrealistic behavior, poorly controlled testing environment. The videos do show the car attempting to brake, but not in time. Is this a failure? Maybe. But is it solid evidence of danger? Certainly not.

A test too anti-Tesla oriented?

Several experts and internet users remind us that even a human driver would have struggled to avoid impact under such conditions. Others point out that the FSD system is constantly evolving and that in other videos not released by The Dawn Project, Teslas do indeed stop in front of real children.

It’s also important to remember that the FSD still serves as a supervised driving aid, not full autonomy. Tesla itself acknowledges limitations and is cautiously delaying the launch of its robotaxi service in Austin, insisting on a paramount priority on safety.

Ultimately, this video raises legitimate questions, but it does not provide credible evidence of danger. Road safety deserves better than a sensationalist media campaign. Let’s remain critical, especially when faced with content whose aim is not information, but provocation.

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