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Now a Third Tesla Crash Is Being Blamed on Autopilot

16 points by dmckeon 10y ago

dmckeon 10y ago
Information on the incidents in Montana and Pennsylvania seems minimal at this point, but may I suggest the phrase "Darwin mode" to describe the decision to engage the beta version of Autopilot without being continuously ready to take over driving?
jsjohnst 10y ago
Not autopilot's fault, as evidenced in part by driver being issued a ticket for careless driving: http://electrek.co/2016/07/12/tesla-model-x-autopilot-accident-montana-tesla-statement/ http://electrek.co/2016/07/12/tesla-model-x-autopilot-accide...
- cLeEOGPw 10y ago
  Because it was his fault. It is written in manual to be ready to take the wheel and he was given warning about increasing uncertainty, yet he kept hands off the wheel at a canyon. The only way he could be more guilty if he was drunk. Blaming autopilot for crash is akin to blaming guns for murder.
  - dodosayak 10y ago
    You guys are really pushing the line hard, huh?
    - cLeEOGPw 10y ago
      This autopilot problem is entirely user's fault. Tesla never promised complete driverless experience. It is users who have the idea of autopilot being a replacement for driver. It's not. Just because it was in public consciousness and imagination for decades, it doesn't make it real. People are imagining autopilot being different than it is. Only "fault" from Tesla is not being more clear about what the autopilot is for. Also what I would do, at least until they make it better, is to raise the threshold of uncertainty after which the autopilot stops working and human driver is required. Just stop the car and force the driver to take the wheel.
      - spotman 10y ago
        Maybe they should consider different marketing semantics than "autopilot". I guess "partial driving assistant" doesn't sound as good, but might be a better term.
        takk309 10y ago
        I agree, autopilot is a glorified cruise control with lane keeping.
        cLeEOGPw 10y ago
        Well, same can be said about human driver too. Main point is that it isn't supposed to be 100% reliable yet.
        lsaferite 10y ago
        I saw a suggestion for 'co-pilot' which seemed like an apt name.
dawnerd 10y ago
Perhaps Tesla need to be a bit more aggressive with enforcing contact with the steering wheel. My Passat will straight up tell at me after 20ish seconds of not touching the wheel. I know Elon wants to keep defending himself but really it's something Tesla can prevent.

16 points by dmckeon 10y ago

Information on the incidents in Montana and Pennsylvania seems minimal at this point, but may I suggest the phrase "Darwin mode" to describe the decision to engage the beta version of Autopilot without being continuously ready to take over driving?

jsjohnst 10y ago

Not autopilot's fault, as evidenced in part by driver being issued a ticket for careless driving: http://electrek.co/2016/07/12/tesla-model-x-autopilot-accident-montana-tesla-statement/ http://electrek.co/2016/07/12/tesla-model-x-autopilot-accide...

cLeEOGPw 10y ago
Because it was his fault. It is written in manual to be ready to take the wheel and he was given warning about increasing uncertainty, yet he kept hands off the wheel at a canyon. The only way he could be more guilty if he was drunk. Blaming autopilot for crash is akin to blaming guns for murder.
- dodosayak 10y ago
  You guys are really pushing the line hard, huh?
  - cLeEOGPw 10y ago
    This autopilot problem is entirely user's fault. Tesla never promised complete driverless experience. It is users who have the idea of autopilot being a replacement for driver. It's not. Just because it was in public consciousness and imagination for decades, it doesn't make it real. People are imagining autopilot being different than it is. Only "fault" from Tesla is not being more clear about what the autopilot is for. Also what I would do, at least until they make it better, is to raise the threshold of uncertainty after which the autopilot stops working and human driver is required. Just stop the car and force the driver to take the wheel.
    - spotman 10y ago
      Maybe they should consider different marketing semantics than "autopilot". I guess "partial driving assistant" doesn't sound as good, but might be a better term.
      - takk309 10y ago
        I agree, autopilot is a glorified cruise control with lane keeping.
        cLeEOGPw 10y ago
        Well, same can be said about human driver too. Main point is that it isn't supposed to be 100% reliable yet.
      - lsaferite 10y ago
        I saw a suggestion for 'co-pilot' which seemed like an apt name.

dawnerd 10y ago

Perhaps Tesla need to be a bit more aggressive with enforcing contact with the steering wheel. My Passat will straight up tell at me after 20ish seconds of not touching the wheel. I know Elon wants to keep defending himself but really it's something Tesla can prevent.