Tesla Autopilot tricked into accelerating

Occurred: February 2020

Can you improve this page?
Share your insights with us

Researchers at McFee Labs have tricked several Tesla models into breaking the speed limit by sticking a 2-inch piece of electrical tape on a sign. 

When the researchers placed a bit of black electrical tape measuring 5cm on a road sign depicting a 35mph speed limit, the MobilEye camera in a Model X misread the sign as 85mph and began accelerating.

The attack only worked for older Tesla Model S and X vehicles using MobilEye's EyeQ3 camera system. The system is deployed in over 40 million vehicles across the world.

Operator: McFee Labs
Developer: Tesla
Country: USA
Sector: Automotive
Purpose: Automate steering, acceleration, braking
Technology: Driver assistance system; Computer vision
Issue: Safety; Accuracy/reliability
Transparency: Black box