4 ms·

I think this is fantastic, especially given that I had recently purchased some Tesla stock. However, I wonder, is anyone perturbed that Tesla has the ability t

by PakG1 14y ago

I think this is fantastic, especially given that I had recently purchased some Tesla stock. However, I wonder, is anyone perturbed that Tesla has the ability to monitor all of this? I know that other car manufacturers are getting closer and closer to this kind of thing. But is anyone else perturbed? I know there must be precedents set already because of technologies like OnStar. What is needed for the police or a court of law to be able to demand this type of data from Tesla or the vehicle owner (not sure where the logs are kept, in the car or in the cloud).

lutusp 14y ago
> However, I wonder, is anyone perturbed that Tesla has the ability to monitor all of this? Tesla has made a public policy statement that they will turn on logging and monitor media test drives -- but they won't be automatically monitoring the private uses of their car. That would be a public relations disaster. Also, to get to the log, they have to get to the car. It's not as though the log is automatically transmitted to Tesla by wireless. EDIT: Apparently, with the user's permission, Tesla can log car data remotely. How they go about this isn't clear, but it's apparently an option.
- stuhood 14y ago
  Actually, assuming they had your permission, they could record all of this data remotely, just as you can: http://docs.timdorr.apiary.io/ http://docs.timdorr.apiary.io/
  - lutusp 14y ago
    Thanks -- as to the remote logging, I looked into this and it seems to be so. I edited my original post.
busterarm 14y ago
They actually turn it off by default except for the press. I think when insurance companies, technology and public opinion catch up, it will be an always-on thing. I want that kind of logging if my car gets stolen. I want that kind of logging if I get hit by a cop and he calls his buddies to alter the evidence to make me at fault (this has happened to people). This kind of log data will only result in lower insurance premiums for everyone and evidence useful in court. The potential savings to society are tremendous.
- Finbarr 14y ago
  This would be great and I'm sure it will come to fruition sooner or later. I wonder what will happen to the auto insurance industry when self driving cars are prolific. Undoubtedly they'll be logging this kind of data constantly.
- btilly 14y ago
  This kind of log data will only result in lower insurance premiums for everyone and evidence useful in court. As long as everyone needs coverage, and accidents remain the same, the insurance company will need to pay out about the same and therefore collect something similar. That means that average premiums will not change across the population. However you can move costs from lower risk drivers to higher risk drivers. Which may help YOUR premiums.
  - busterarm 14y ago
    Indeed. My enthusiasm at the idea led me to say "for everyone" when in fact you are correct. I should have said "for non-idiot drivers"
  - evan_ 14y ago
    If all the bad drivers start getting charged more for their insurance, they might stop driving altogether and take public transit or work to become better drivers, which could ultimately lower accidents, a good outcome for everyone.
- _djo_ 14y ago
  Discovery Insurance in South Africa has a car insurance policy that lowers your premiums based on the data from a logger they install in your car. Drive below the speed limit, avoid hard acceleration from traffic lights and avoid cornering at high speeds and they lower your premiums by something like 50%. Of course it's still an optional policy for now and easy to implement because most insurance companies insist that new vehicles in SA are fitted with a GPS car tracking system anyway, but it's an indication as to where things are heading.
  - 14y ago
ABS 14y ago
if you buy a Tesla you get to decide whether this is enabled or not (at least as of today). It's on by default only for journalists after the Top Gear "experience".
CamperBob2 14y ago
The logging capability can be turned on at the owner's request, and only at the owner's request. Unfortunately for the NYT, Tesla Motors was the owner of this particular car.
kevin_rubyhouse 14y ago
All car manufacturers have this sort of logging enabled. It's used especially for testing and on-board equipment. This isn't what I had in mind, but serves to demonstrate the capabilities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics#Data_loggers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics#Data_logge...

by PakG1 14y ago

lutusp 14y ago

> However, I wonder, is anyone perturbed that Tesla has the ability to monitor all of this? Tesla has made a public policy statement that they will turn on logging and monitor media test drives -- but they won't be automatically monitoring the private uses of their car. That would be a public relations disaster. Also, to get to the log, they have to get to the car. It's not as though the log is automatically transmitted to Tesla by wireless. EDIT: Apparently, with the user's permission, Tesla can log car data remotely. How they go about this isn't clear, but it's apparently an option.

stuhood 14y ago
Actually, assuming they had your permission, they could record all of this data remotely, just as you can: http://docs.timdorr.apiary.io/ http://docs.timdorr.apiary.io/
- lutusp 14y ago
  Thanks -- as to the remote logging, I looked into this and it seems to be so. I edited my original post.

busterarm 14y ago

They actually turn it off by default except for the press. I think when insurance companies, technology and public opinion catch up, it will be an always-on thing. I want that kind of logging if my car gets stolen. I want that kind of logging if I get hit by a cop and he calls his buddies to alter the evidence to make me at fault (this has happened to people). This kind of log data will only result in lower insurance premiums for everyone and evidence useful in court. The potential savings to society are tremendous.

Finbarr 14y ago
This would be great and I'm sure it will come to fruition sooner or later. I wonder what will happen to the auto insurance industry when self driving cars are prolific. Undoubtedly they'll be logging this kind of data constantly.
btilly 14y ago
This kind of log data will only result in lower insurance premiums for everyone and evidence useful in court. As long as everyone needs coverage, and accidents remain the same, the insurance company will need to pay out about the same and therefore collect something similar. That means that average premiums will not change across the population. However you can move costs from lower risk drivers to higher risk drivers. Which may help YOUR premiums.
- busterarm 14y ago
  Indeed. My enthusiasm at the idea led me to say "for everyone" when in fact you are correct. I should have said "for non-idiot drivers"
- evan_ 14y ago
  If all the bad drivers start getting charged more for their insurance, they might stop driving altogether and take public transit or work to become better drivers, which could ultimately lower accidents, a good outcome for everyone.
_djo_ 14y ago
Discovery Insurance in South Africa has a car insurance policy that lowers your premiums based on the data from a logger they install in your car. Drive below the speed limit, avoid hard acceleration from traffic lights and avoid cornering at high speeds and they lower your premiums by something like 50%. Of course it's still an optional policy for now and easy to implement because most insurance companies insist that new vehicles in SA are fitted with a GPS car tracking system anyway, but it's an indication as to where things are heading.
- 14y ago

ABS 14y ago

if you buy a Tesla you get to decide whether this is enabled or not (at least as of today). It's on by default only for journalists after the Top Gear "experience".

CamperBob2 14y ago

The logging capability can be turned on at the owner's request, and only at the owner's request. Unfortunately for the NYT, Tesla Motors was the owner of this particular car.

kevin_rubyhouse 14y ago

All car manufacturers have this sort of logging enabled. It's used especially for testing and on-board equipment. This isn't what I had in mind, but serves to demonstrate the capabilities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics#Data_loggers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics#Data_logge...