San Francisco, California – A tech entrepreneur from California has taken a bold step by spending over half a million dollars on Super Bowl ads to criticize Tesla for not disabling its Autopilot technology outside of its designated conditions. The issue gained attention after a Washington Post investigation highlighted the problem last fall and eventually led to a recall of nearly 2 million U.S. Tesla vehicles equipped with Autopilot.
This is the second year that Dan O’Dowd, a prominent Tesla critic, has run an ad campaign during the Super Bowl. He leads the Dawn Project, a group advocating for a ban on Tesla’s driver-assistance technology. The latest campaign, featuring the slogan “Boycott Tesla,” showcases footage of fatal and severe crashes involving Tesla vehicles, some of which resulted in the company issuing a cease-and-desist letter in response to prior depictions.
O’Dowd, the founder of Green Hills Software, a company that develops operating systems for cars and airplanes, felt compelled to raise awareness about what he calls “the most incompetent software I’ve ever seen,” partly due to The Post’s investigation. This move has sparked discussions about the safety and regulation of autonomous driving technology, provoking a response from both Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk.
Tesla has maintained that its Autopilot software is intended for use by fully attentive drivers and argues that it is essential to make these systems available to a wider set of consumers. On the other hand, O’Dowd’s group argues that the technology has led to tragic accidents and should be restricted or banned.
The ads highlight three significant crashes allegedly involving Autopilot, including a case where a 17-year-old was severely injured when a Tesla struck him as he disembarked a school bus. O’Dowd’s group has strategically placed these ads in D.C., California, Delaware, and Michigan, aiming to reach a broad audience and spark discussion about the safety of Tesla’s driver-assistance technology.
Musk, however, has downplayed the criticism, using his social media platform to address the ads and highlight the potential of Tesla’s self-driving capabilities. As this issue continues to make headlines, it also coincides with concerns over Tesla’s revenue, the development of its “Full Self-Driving” technology, and the ongoing controversy surrounding Musk’s role within the company.
The clash between O’Dowd and Tesla sheds light on the evolving landscape of autonomous driving technology and the ongoing debate about its safety and regulation. As the Super Bowl ads grab the attention of millions, the controversy surrounding Tesla and its Autopilot technology is likely to fuel further discussions and possibly lead to changes in the industry.