Autopilot is the system that moves the flight surfaces to maintain altitude (or a climb/dive rate), and heading. There is an FMS (Flight Management System) tha

Autopilot is the system that moves the flight surfaces to maintain altitude (or a climb/dive rate), and heading. There is an FMS (Flight Management System) that can give commands to the autopilot. The FMS knows the X,Y,Z of every waypoint and every runway touchdown point, and has in it encoded the 'highway rules' of aviation. When the FMS flies the plane, it is going on a pre-planned route. It does not adapt to anything. Imminent collision with another aircraft (TCAS advisories) alert the pilot to do something, not the FMS/Autopilot. It is a long way from self driving a car. The specifics make it a good analogy, but how much of the public understands it to this depth.