Drivers in China are bypassing Tesla’s driver-monitoring systems using low-tech gadgets. A Wired report identifies a cottage industry on Chinese e-commerce platforms selling plastic heads and figurines. These items retail for between $10 and $40.
The devices trick in-cabin cameras into identifying distracted drivers as attentive. This allows users to misuse assisted-driving features without triggering alerts.
The trend accelerated following a recent software update in China designed to tighten distracted-driving checks. This workaround reveals a significant loophole in Tesla’s camera-based safety protocols. The ease of the bypass raises questions regarding the reliability of semi-autonomous monitoring systems.