Video Showing Why Tesla ‘Autopilot’ Accident in Texas Can’t Be On FSD Beta

Tesla’s driver-assist software Autopilot has once again been thrown into the limelight due to a tragic Tesla Model S accident that took the lives of two individuals.

The accident happened Saturday night when a 2019 Model S with 2 occupants crashed into a tree in the Carlton Woods Subdivision on Hammock Dunes Place in Houston, Texas.

According to authorities, the Model S crashed into a tree after failing to navigate a turn at high speed near 18 Hammock Dunes Place. The collision resulted in the death of both passengers.

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What makes the accident stand out is when first responders arrived at the crash site they found the occupants one sitting in the passenger seat and the second passenger at the back seat.

According to crash experts who examined the crash they are certain there was no one in the driver’s seat. This has led some in the media to speculate the crashed Model S was operating on autopilot.

On top of this, some on social media have even gone so far as to suggest the vehicle was equipped with Tesla’s latest limited release FSD beta software. ARK Invest believes FSD will propel Tesla to being the largest company in the world.

Tesla’s FSD beta software is the next iteration of Tesla’s autopilot software and is eventually expected to enable level 5 self-driving. Currently, there are around 2000 Tesla owners in the early access program. However, this number should increase significantly with a new update coming to the FSD software next month.

The speculation Tesla’s latest FSD beta software was engaged came from the fact the Model S was driving on a windy road and the fact that the road does not have lane lines. Unlike FSD Beta Tesla’s current autopilot software can’t be engaged on roads without a lane line.

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However, a new video by Tesla early access program participant Brandon from the youtube channel Brandonee916 proves this can’t be the case.

In the video, Brandon demonstrates what happens if a driver unbuckles his or her seat while the Tesla FSD beta is engaged.

As you can see from the video as soon as the seat belt is unbuckled the vehicle gives off loud chimes, there is a flashing red light on the center screen, and immediately the vehicle pulls to the side and safely stop. And the whole process happens within few seconds.

This shows FSD beta couldn’t have been engaged long enough for the driver to climb out of the driver’s seat and into the back seat.

So what do you think? Could Tesla’s FSD beta or autopilot have been engaged during the Houston accident? Also, who do you think is at fault if Tesla on autopilot crashes? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below.

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Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.