Former US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has lifted the lid on a heated safety disagreement that led to a major fallout with tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Duffy, who served under the Trump administration, revealed that tensions flared over regulatory standards for autonomous vehicles, a key area of Musk's Tesla and SpaceX ventures.
The Safety Standoff
The dispute centred around differing visions for vehicle safety regulations, with Duffy advocating for stricter oversight while Musk pushed for more innovation-friendly policies.
"There was a fundamental clash in philosophy," Duffy stated. "While we prioritised traditional safety metrics, Elon's approach was more disruptive."
Impact on Tesla's Operations
The rift reportedly affected Tesla's ability to fast-track certain autonomous driving features in the US market, forcing the company to navigate complex regulatory hurdles.
Key points of contention included:
- Crash test requirements
- Data sharing protocols
- Software validation processes
Aftermath and Ongoing Tensions
While both parties eventually reached compromises, insiders suggest the disagreement left lasting scars in Musk's relationship with federal regulators.
The revelations come at a sensitive time for Tesla, as the company faces increased scrutiny over its Full Self-Driving technology from safety advocates and lawmakers alike.
