WASHINGTON, Oct 25 Reuters - Swedish automotive technology company Veoneer Inc said Missy Cummings had decided to resign from its board effective Nov. 1 after she accepted a position with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Reuters first reported last week that Cummings, a Duke University professor of engineering and computer science, would be named as a new senior adviser for safety at NHTSA.
Cummings Chief Executive Jan Carlson praised Veoneer's service, saying in a statement her thoughtful participation and active guidance to the company and its board throughout her time with the board have been greatly appreciated. Veoneer said in an email to Reuters on Monday that she was very grateful for my opportunity to support Cummings' focus on safety and serve on their board. My resignation comes as a result of my recent acceptance of an advisory position at NHTSA. Last week, NHTSA confirmed Cummings was named for a temporary assignment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program.
Those detailees are considered federal employees for the purposes of the Ethics in Government Act, which requires a resolution of any possible conflicts of interest before Cummings begins her assignment, the agency said.
Last week, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk wrote on Twitter: Objectively, her track record is extremely biased against Tesla. She responded to Musk on Twitter saying: Happy to sit down and talk with you anytime. Cummings has repeatedly expressed concerns about Tesla's Autopilot feature. In 2019, she wrote on Twitter: I have driven several Teslas - autopilot easily causes mode confusion, is unsafe and unreliable NHTSArecalls should require tesla to turn it off. NHTSA said last week it looks forward to leveraging Cummings experience and leadership in safety and autonomous technologies. Cummings faced intense harassment on Twitter after her appointment including from many who identified themselves as Tesla enthusiasts and her account currently does not appear active.