Mobileye Refutes Allegations By Tesla On Computer Visions Efforts

(RTTNews) - Mobileye N.V. (MBLY) noted that the allegations recently attributed to a spokesperson for Tesla regarding Mobileye's position in respect of Tesla internal computer visions efforts are incorrect and can be refuted by the facts.

It has long been Mobileye's position that Tesla's Autopilot should not be allowed to operate hands-free without proper and substantial technological restrictions and limitations. In communications dating back to May 2015 between Mobileye Chairman and Tesla's CEO, Mobileye expressed safety concerns regarding the use of Autopilot hands-free.

After a subsequent face to face meeting, Tesla's CEO confirmed that activation of Autopilot would be "hands on." Despite this confirmation, Autopilot was rolled out in late 2015 with a hands-free activation mode. Mobileye has made substantial efforts since then to take more control on how this project can be steered to a proper functional safety system.

Tesla's response to the May 7 crash, wherein the company shifted blame to the camera, and later corrected and shifted blame to the radar, indicated to Mobileye that Mobileye's relationship with Tesla could not continue. Failing agreement on necessary changes in the relationship, Mobileye terminated its association with Tesla. As for Tesla's claim that Mobileye was threatened by Tesla's internal computer vision efforts, the company has little knowledge of these efforts other than an awareness that Tesla had put together a small team.

Earlier, Tesla Motors Inc. said Mobileye NV tried to block its development of vision capability for cars after the supplier of chips and software for driver-assistance systems learned that Tesla was developing its own program.

Mobileye attempted to force Tesla to discontinue this development, demanding the electric-car maker pay the supplier more among requirements in exchange for continuing supply of some hardware, Palo Alto, California-based Tesla said in an e-mailed statement. When Tesla refused to cancel its own development, Mobileye stopped hardware support for future platforms and released public statements implying the discontinuance was motivated by safety concerns, Tesla said