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> For example, a single-axis autopilot just levels the wings. Some will hold a heading. If you set an autopilot to hold a heading, it will hold a heading. You

by seppel 7y ago

> For example, a single-axis autopilot just levels the wings. Some will hold a heading. If you set an autopilot to hold a heading, it will hold a heading. You don't have to supervise it, you can concentrate on other stuff. If you set a tesla autopilot to keep in a lane, you have to supervise it because it might fail to do so. Granted, the latter problem is a harder one. But the point of an autopilot is that it manages to do want it promises to do on its own without constant supervision.

irishsultan 7y ago
> If you set an autopilot to hold a heading, it will hold a heading. You don't have to supervise it, you can concentrate on other stuff. As long as that other stuff includes paying attention to where you're going. If not you're bound to collide with something at some point.
- seppel 7y ago
  Well, of course. But the autopilot will reliably keep the heading whereas the lane assist will not reliably keep the lane.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
cjrp 7y ago
> If you set an autopilot to hold a heading, it will hold a heading. You don't have to supervise it, you can concentrate on other stuff. Not _strictly_ true; faults can occur and the system always needs monitoring. Strong turbulence will also disconnect the autopilot (with appropriately attention-grabbing aural and visual alerts).
- seppel 7y ago
  Yes technical faults can happen or it might be physically impossible to keep the heading (because the engines are too weak to counter the wind). But still, the autopilot delivers what it promises and it is certified for. You can (or are supposed to) take your hands from the yoke when it is activated. The cruise control is much more an autopilot than the lane assist, which is just an assist but wrongly advertised.
- Sherl 7y ago
  In a plane you have some space to react before you can take control of but on roads you're bound to other interacting factors as well like other drivers on road. If the FSD isn't 100% self capable then you're basically playing a calculated risk with an array of sensors and data.
blktiger 7y ago
From wikipedia: "An autopilot is a system used to control the trajectory of an aircraft, marine craft or spacecraft without constant manual control by a human operator being required. Autopilots do not replace human operators, but instead they assist them in controlling the vehicle." The important bit, which is apparently not understood by the public is that it's only used as an aid in controlling the vehicle. You still have to monitor it and be prepared to take over if it doesn't behave properly. I once flew an airplane, set the autopilot and the airplane decided to go into a rapid climb unexpectedly. That's exactly equivalent to the lane assist failing to keep the car in the lane. That said, it's clear that because the public doesn't understand what it means to be an autopilot it's a bad choice of name. Or at least Tesla should be spending a _lot_ more time educating people on what it means before they use it.

by seppel 7y ago

irishsultan 7y ago

> If you set an autopilot to hold a heading, it will hold a heading. You don't have to supervise it, you can concentrate on other stuff. As long as that other stuff includes paying attention to where you're going. If not you're bound to collide with something at some point.

seppel 7y ago
Well, of course. But the autopilot will reliably keep the heading whereas the lane assist will not reliably keep the lane.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]

cjrp 7y ago

> If you set an autopilot to hold a heading, it will hold a heading. You don't have to supervise it, you can concentrate on other stuff. Not _strictly_ true; faults can occur and the system always needs monitoring. Strong turbulence will also disconnect the autopilot (with appropriately attention-grabbing aural and visual alerts).

seppel 7y ago
Yes technical faults can happen or it might be physically impossible to keep the heading (because the engines are too weak to counter the wind). But still, the autopilot delivers what it promises and it is certified for. You can (or are supposed to) take your hands from the yoke when it is activated. The cruise control is much more an autopilot than the lane assist, which is just an assist but wrongly advertised.
Sherl 7y ago
In a plane you have some space to react before you can take control of but on roads you're bound to other interacting factors as well like other drivers on road. If the FSD isn't 100% self capable then you're basically playing a calculated risk with an array of sensors and data.

blktiger 7y ago

From wikipedia: "An autopilot is a system used to control the trajectory of an aircraft, marine craft or spacecraft without constant manual control by a human operator being required. Autopilots do not replace human operators, but instead they assist them in controlling the vehicle." The important bit, which is apparently not understood by the public is that it's only used as an aid in controlling the vehicle. You still have to monitor it and be prepared to take over if it doesn't behave properly. I once flew an airplane, set the autopilot and the airplane decided to go into a rapid climb unexpectedly. That's exactly equivalent to the lane assist failing to keep the car in the lane. That said, it's clear that because the public doesn't understand what it means to be an autopilot it's a bad choice of name. Or at least Tesla should be spending a _lot_ more time educating people on what it means before they use it.