Tesla’s self-driving safeguards fooled by $30 doll heads

Tesla's driver monitoring system has been circumvented by inexpensive plastic doll heads sold on Chinese e-commerce platforms for as little as $20 to $50. These "travel companions" and "dashboard decorations" are designed to fool the vehicle's cabin camera into believing a driver is attentive, effectively disabling a key safety feature. This development signifies a new and concerning phase in the ongoing challenge to Tesla's safeguards, where individuals are actively seeking ways to bypass driver monitoring. The practice is deemed dangerous and irresponsible, highlighting a significant vulnerability in the system intended to enhance road safety. The proliferation of these devices suggests a growing trend of users attempting to exploit the technology, potentially leading to increased risks for drivers and others on the road. Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems rely on driver attention, and these doll heads directly undermine that requirement.