In a startling revelation, a former Tesla employee in Norway, Lukasz Krupski, has blown the whistle on the electric vehicle giant, alleging that Tesla’s autopilot system is not safe enough for public roads. Krupski, who worked at Tesla, expressed skepticism about the company’s ethical practices regarding its driver assistance software packages in an interview with the BBC. The whistleblower, armed with a trove of leaked data amounting to 100 gigabytes, shared his concerns with German business newspaper Handelsblatt in May. According to Krupski, attempts to raise these concerns internally had been consistently ignored. The leaked data includes customer complaints about Tesla’s braking system and the so-called Full Self-Driving package, providing tangible evidence supporting Krupski’s reservations.
One of the major issues highlighted by Krupski was the well-known Tesla ‘phantom braking’ phenomenon, which he claims is not only unnerving but also poses a significant safety risk. Tesla, on the other hand, has defended its autopilot system, asserting that it averaged one airbag deployment crash for every five million miles driven in 2022. However, these figures remain unverified by independent sources.
Krupski’s concerns go beyond the technical aspects, as he also exposed Tesla’s questionable workplace practices. His documentation included photos revealing unsafe practices within Tesla facilities, such as a rolling table with a maximum load of 500 kilograms being used to support a battery much heavier. This led to his reprimand and eventual termination by Tesla, citing a violation of company policy for taking photographs within their facility.
The leaked data unveiled more than just safety concerns; it exposed sensitive information, including social security numbers of Tesla employees, accident reports, and internal communications. Krupski’s revelations have prompted discussions on the dangers of Tesla’s Autopilot and contributed to understanding the delays in Cybertruck deliveries.
Facing financial constraints, Krupski intends to sue Tesla for compensation but is currently working with a lawyer in Norway who is providing pro bono services to help raise the necessary funds. As the controversy unfolds, the ethical implications of Tesla’s practices come under intense scrutiny, questioning not only the safety of their autonomous driving technology but also the protection of employee privacy within the company.
