San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently revealed that his Tesla was using Autopilot when he was involved in a car crash near downtown Palo Alto. However, the NFL coach made it clear that he still takes full responsibility for the accident.
The crash happened about four weeks ago. Initially, Shanahan only told reporters that the incident was his fault. At a recent press conference, he shared more details about what happened. He explained that he had engaged Tesla's driver-assistance feature, called Autopilot, before the crash occurred.
Shanahan said he has used Tesla's Autopilot for nine years and feels comfortable with the system. Still, he admitted that he is unsure whether the computer system malfunctioned or if he accidentally turned it off when he turned around.
Despite the system being active, Shanahan emphasized that drivers must remain attentive at all times. "It is always your fault, whether you're on Autopilot or not," Shanahan said during the press conference. He added that drivers cannot take their eyes off the road and described driving with technology as a partnership rather than handing full control to a computer.
Tesla's Autopilot has faced increased scrutiny in recent years. The feature has been linked to hundreds of crashes and multiple deaths, leading to several legal settlements. Shanahan's comments highlight an ongoing debate about how much drivers should trust automated driver-assist technology on public roads.