Tesla's Controversial 'Mad Max' Mode Returns, Ignoring Speed Limits
In a bold move, Tesla has reintroduced its 'Mad Max' mode for its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, despite ongoing regulatory investigations and legal battles surrounding the safety of its autonomous features. This decision raises eyebrows and sparks controversy.
With lawsuits and regulatory pressure mounting, one might expect Tesla to tread carefully with its marketing and communication strategies. However, the company has chosen to embrace the controversial 'Mad Max' moniker for its level 2 advanced driver assistance system, promising a future upgrade to level 4 autonomy - a promise that has been repeated annually for the past seven years.
Last week's FSD v14 update brought a new feature, 'Sloth Mode', which encourages slower driving. Now, Tesla has released FSD v14.1.2, introducing the polar opposite - 'Mad Max' mode. The release notes describe it as a profile with higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the 'HURRY' mode.
This isn't Tesla's first rodeo with 'Mad Max'. The name, borrowed from the iconic post-apocalyptic movie series, was first used for Tesla Autopilot back in 2018. CEO Elon Musk described it as an aggressive lane-changing feature, ideal for navigating challenging traffic situations, particularly in cities like Los Angeles.
The new Mad Max mode in Tesla FSD seems to live up to its name. Within 24 hours of its release, reports emerged of the system rolling through stop signs and exceeding speed limits by over 15 mph (24 km/h). In 2022, NHTSA forced Tesla to recall FSD Beta due to similar issues with rolling stops.
Electrek's Take: Tesla continues to court controversy. With four separate NHTSA investigations into FSD over the past year and a legal battle with California DMV over the naming of its systems, Tesla's decision to launch 'Mad Max' seems ill-advised, even if the feature were perfectly safe.
As always, it's important to remember that Tesla's ADAS and FSD systems require constant driver attention and readiness to take control. These systems are not infallible and can make critical mistakes at the worst possible moments.
What are your thoughts on Tesla's 'Mad Max' mode? Do you think it's a bold innovation or a reckless move? Join the discussion in the comments and share your opinions on this controversial feature.
