Tesla Model Y records high ghost braking frequency in real-world testing

Thatcham Research conducted a real-world study to evaluate the performance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in three production models: the Tesla Model Y, BMW i5, and MG ZS. The testing involved over 7,200 kilometers driven primarily on public roads and some closed tracks to observe how electronic assistants react to actual driving conditions.

The study highlighted significant differences in “ghost braking” incidents, where vehicles brake without an apparent reason. The Tesla Model Y recorded 122 such instances, whereas the BMW i5 recorded eight and the MG ZS recorded six.

While the high number of ghost braking events in the Tesla indicates high sensitivity, researchers noted that the system is effective at preventing collisions. In fact, the Tesla Model Y activated its brakes earlier than other tested vehicles in collision-avoidance scenarios. Yousif Al-Ani, Thatcham Research’s lead engineer for ADAS, suggested that the Tesla system is configured with such high caution that it increases unnecessary interventions.