Tesla and "Autopilot"

[Toast54]

Darwin-isms aside. the recent fatal crash of a Tesla X in northern California is revealed as a result of autopilot function and the driver/(rider) ignored several warnings to manually control the vehicle. Apparently there is a setting of minimum when allowing for stopping distance between vehicles and this one was set on it.
Now they want to use this on massive semi's. What's the feeling in here for a self-driving vehicle, and should Tesla even be using the word autopilot on controls?

[BoxsterSteve]

Maybe it’s just me, but anyone sitting behind the steering wheel is supposed to be in control of the vehicle.
If said person is unwilling or unqualified, there’s always the passenger seat, rear seat or heaven forbid, alternate modes of transportation.
I’ve been a passenger on busses in Mexico and Jamaica, and it was a religious experience at times, what with hanging on to the Holy @#$& handle for dear life and all.
Even so, it would be a cold day in hell before I would trust a vehicle to pilot itself.

[Nickshu]

It's technically still a driver aid. My Volvo XC90 has autopilot, it works very well but still needs driver assistance from time to time.

In the recent self-driving Uber fatality the XC90 involved was running Uber's homegrown autopilot system, not Volvo's PilotAssist.

Nissan, Mercedes, and others have the same autopilot deal on their cars for the last 2-3 years too now. It's pretty common nowdays beyond just Tesla...scary or not.

[Brando]

I agree with BoxsterSteve in that the operator (or Driver) is ultimately responsible for what happens when the vehicle is set on "autopilot". If a situation happens where it needs help, it's the operator's responsibility to make sure the vehicle is used safely and in a legal manner. This is a case of people wanting to have less responsibility for the deadly machinery they are using.

[carambola]

I've watched that video and something is funny with what is portrayed.
How does darkness come in a (convenient) straight line?




Edit: my bad- i'm talking about the Uber fatal accident

[island911]

Semi's .. ugh.

If only there was some way we could put those heavies on their own roads.

Possibly roads that keep them channeled... like with track.

Oh wait...

[syncroid]

I also agree with BoxsterSteve. My wife and I drove right past that accident shortly after it happened. NOT pretty! I am glad we were northbound and not southbound.

[hcoles]

People may assume "taking control" is the same as having been in continuous control. I don't think so. In other words - let's say your are going along on auto control with some degree of dozing off or day-dreaming/etc. and you hear a beep asking you to take control. I suppose it takes a few seconds or so to gather up exactly what is going on and implement competent manual control. I haven't seen that difference mentioned.

[sc_rufctr]

At some point autonomous cars will be considered safe but even then we'll have to accept a very low level fatality rate.
(Which will be much lower than regular cars.)

Now that the lawyers are involved, In the near future we'll have to sign wavers when taking delivery of a new car at a dealership.

Originally Posted by island911

Semi's .. ugh.

If only there was some way we could put those heavies on their own roads.

Possibly roads that keep them channeled... like with track.

Oh wait...

Our "O-Bahn" in Adelaide has been operational for more than 30 years.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by island911

Semi's .. ugh.

If only there was some way we could put those heavies on their own roads.

Possibly roads that keep them channeled... like with track.

Maybe you could click your heels together three times and all the infrastructure would already be there, cheaper than using a truck too.

He is talking about trains Peter

[stealthn]

Switched on my wife’s lane assist once, in winter, it can’t handle snow

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Maybe you could click your heels together three times and all the infrastructure would already be there, cheaper than using a truck too.

He is talking about trains Peter

Yes I know but there are alternatives to trains.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

At some point autonomous cars will be considered safe but even then we'll have to accept a very low level fatality rate.
(Which will be much lower than regular cars.)

Right now people are okay with humans zigging when they should have zagged but not software.

[stealthn]

Here’s one in almost the same issue, road splits in two and autopilot sees the line on the left as the guide. Almost into the retainer

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-fatal-crash-autopilot-recreation/

[greglepore]

If I'm f'in dead or worse, f'in injured horribly, I really don't care who is responsible. I'm just f'in mad at the world.

Tech has a price, always, but there is no reason to release decision making without internal responsibility or compassion.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just another example of how it is nearly impossible to account for the millions of variables on the road from a programming standpoint. Just stop and think about it, programmers have to account for every oddity that the car might encounter on any road ever. Weather, animals, people, odd road configurations, construction, road damage, and on and on and on. Some sort of AI will be required for this to be a true reality. Rather ironically, Musk is terrified of AI.

[Math]

Originally Posted by Toast54

Now they want to use this on massive semi's. What's the feeling in here for a self-driving vehicle, and should Tesla even be using the word autopilot on controls?

current autopilot is not a self driving solution.
it is not what they will deploy on their future fleet of self driving trucks.