UPDATED: 6/19/18 2:05 pm ET - adds Tesla response
WASHINGTON -- NHTSA Tuesday to a company selling an aftermarket device that effectively disables a safety feature in Tesla Inc.'s Autopilot semiautonomous driver assist system.
"A product intended to circumvent motor vehicle safety and driver attentiveness is unacceptable," NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King said in a statement. "By preventing the safety system from warning the driver to return hands to the wheel, this product disables an important safeguard, and could put customers and other road users at risk."
The device, called Autopilot Buddy, has and other news outlets in recent months.
Tesla's Autopilot function monitors the driver's hands on the steering wheel and warns the driver with visual and auditory alerts when hands are not detected. It has come under intense scrutiny after several crashes the past two years in which Autopilot was engaged.
Tesla says drivers are supposed to keep their hands on the wheel at all times when using the system, but many drivers often don't.
The letter directs the company, owned by Valencia, Calif.-based Dolder, Falco and Reese Partners LLC, to respond by June 29 and certify to NHTSA that all U.S. marketing, sales and distribution of the has ended.
“We support NHTSA’s action regarding this product,” a Tesla spokesperson said via email.
It was not immediately clear if Autopilot Buddy was involved in any of several recent accidents involving Teslas.
The company's website says it is only accepting international orders, but the box displays an American flag and says "Made in U.S.A." The company, which says it is not affiliated with Tesla in any way, recently released a nag-reduction device for the Model 3. The disclaimer on the company website reads:
"Warning: The Autopilot Buddy is not a safety device. Using this device irresponsibly may cause injury or death. This device is designed for closed track use, not for use on public streets."
You can reach Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@crain.com