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> Tesla goofed from the beginning by calling tech like "Autosteer" and "Traffic Assisted Cruise Control" under the moniker "Autopilot" Aviation autopilots can
by outworlder 6y ago
> Tesla goofed from the beginning by calling tech like "Autosteer" and "Traffic Assisted Cruise Control" under the moniker "Autopilot"
Aviation autopilots can do even less than that and yet they are still called "autopilot". Altitude hold? That's autopilot.
Also, "copilots" are generally fully capable of flying the aircraft and have the exact same capabilities.
If you are irked about the 'autopilot' moniker, then ditch aviation terminology entirely.
- altacc 6y agoPutting aside that modern plane autopilots can also navigate and land planes, the common definition of words is often more important than the technical definition. Especially when it comes to marketing to the general public. Terminology gets reused because it has a common usage and somebody wants to use that to frame their new & shiny product. Ask a normal person what they think autopilot does and they'll say "the plane flys by itself". Using that for cars becomes "the car drives itself". Same for copilot, most people probably think they're there to help the pilot.