Tesla's request to test Full Self-Driving technology in Stockholm was declined, contrary to popular belief, not due to usual concerns.
The city of Stockholm has turned down Tesla's request to test its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology on city streets. This decision, reflecting a broader trend of caution among European countries, is not solely due to safety concerns, but rather a stringent homologation and regulatory approval process that prioritizes independent verification and liability safeguards over manufacturer self-certification.
Last year, Tesla demonstrated FSD to a Swedish transportation official, but the test took place in Germany. The company has conducted demonstrations in Norway, Germany, Italy, and other parts of Europe, but public testing has yet to materialize.
The Traffic Office in Stockholm, currently working on updating its approach to automation, assesses that it is currently not possible to approve the implementation of the test due to potential risks for infrastructure and third parties. The city and the Traffic Office are heavily burdened with other ongoing innovation tests.
Tesla had proposed to carry out a test of its FSD (Supervised) software in Stockholm, a city-wide pilot that requires an attentive human driver behind the wheel. However, the Traffic Office's busy schedule and ongoing projects have been the primary reasons for the rejection.
This rejection is not unique to Stockholm. Many European countries are hesitant about advanced driver assistance technologies and are delaying city-wide testing until more comprehensive regulatory frameworks are in place.
Meanwhile, Tesla is facing challenges in Sweden due to a prolonged dispute with Swedish labour unions, which has triggered sympathy strikes and affected service operations, delays in opening new Supercharger stations, and delays in customers receiving license plates for their new cars.
In contrast, China has approved the deployment of FSD under a different name, and there are no regulatory barriers to the release of FSD in Australia. As the autonomous driving landscape evolves, it's clear that regulatory approval processes will play a crucial role in shaping its development.
[1] Tesla's Full Self-Driving Test Rejected in Stockholm: A Cautious Approach to Autonomous Driving [2] European Caution Towards Autonomous Driving Technologies
[1] The Traffic Office's decision to reject Tesla's proposal for a city-wide test of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Stockholm aligns with the industry-wide trend of caution towards autonomous driving technologies in Europe.
[2] Amidst ongoing innovation tests and a busy schedule, the rejection of Tesla's FSD test in Stockholm is not isolated, as many European countries are delaying city-wide tests until explicit regulatory frameworks are established, reflecting the importance of finance, technology, and transportation sectors in shaping the autonomous driving landscape.