4 ms·

This guy... is also an experienced mechanic. Read more on wk057 to see what he's capable of. "Hobbyist" is talking him down significantly.

rtkwe 8y ago
The difference here to me is the more normal crazy car modification scene isn't mucking around with systems that take control of the car, it's modifications to how the car operates and handles but it's the 'driver replacement' that Tesla's autopilot is used as (as much as the companies try to insist that it's an assist we've seen people don't pay as much attention to these semi-autonomous cars as they should as the driver). So we're talking about a system that already has problems with errors and driver attention being patched together where the myriad subtle errors will be completely hidden from the user. That's the fundamental difference to me between this kind of mod and the more traditional soup up etc modifications.
- mikeash 8y ago
  Do you not touch the brakes or engine? Those are far more safety-critical.
  - rtkwe 8y ago
    I'd only really call the brakes there safety-critical but either way they're at the base layer pretty simple hydraulic systems that are very well understood (and there's always the e-brake which doesn't usually get screwed with). Even that doesn't get around the fact that these systems even in their full factory installed working order have driven directly into the sides of semi trucks, lane dividers and into the back of completely stationary vehicles.
    - mikeash 8y ago
      Look at the Toyota unintended acceleration incident to see how dangerous a malfunctioning engine can be. (Even if it ended up just being floor mats or driver error, it shows what can happen in that case.) Other cars in full working order drive into stationary vehicles and lane dividers every day. Nobody’s freaking out about DIY mods for those.

4 ms·

This guy... is also an experienced mechanic. Read more on wk057 to see what he's capable of. "Hobbyist" is talking him down significantly.

by disillusioned 8y ago

rtkwe 8y ago
The difference here to me is the more normal crazy car modification scene isn't mucking around with systems that take control of the car, it's modifications to how the car operates and handles but it's the 'driver replacement' that Tesla's autopilot is used as (as much as the companies try to insist that it's an assist we've seen people don't pay as much attention to these semi-autonomous cars as they should as the driver). So we're talking about a system that already has problems with errors and driver attention being patched together where the myriad subtle errors will be completely hidden from the user. That's the fundamental difference to me between this kind of mod and the more traditional soup up etc modifications.
- mikeash 8y ago
  Do you not touch the brakes or engine? Those are far more safety-critical.
  - rtkwe 8y ago
    I'd only really call the brakes there safety-critical but either way they're at the base layer pretty simple hydraulic systems that are very well understood (and there's always the e-brake which doesn't usually get screwed with). Even that doesn't get around the fact that these systems even in their full factory installed working order have driven directly into the sides of semi trucks, lane dividers and into the back of completely stationary vehicles.
    - mikeash 8y ago
      Look at the Toyota unintended acceleration incident to see how dangerous a malfunctioning engine can be. (Even if it ended up just being floor mats or driver error, it shows what can happen in that case.) Other cars in full working order drive into stationary vehicles and lane dividers every day. Nobody’s freaking out about DIY mods for those.