Musk Claims That Latest Autopilot Update Would Have Saved Driver In Fatal Crash

Sunday’s news comes in the wake of a May crash involving a Tesla Model S that was using the semi-autonomous mode at the time. The driver died after crashing into a tractor-trailer.

On a conference call with reporters, Musk said he thinks that the improvements, which will roll out globally in the next week or two in the form of a software update, would have prevented that crash.

cidflekken - 9/12/2016 2:10:54 PM

+8 Boost

A simple software update was all that would have been necessary to prevent a death? I'm no legal eagle, but sounds like grounds for a lawsuit (I'm sure I'll be graciously corrected by the fine members of this forum).

vdiv - 9/12/2016 2:16:42 PM

+4 Boost

No, I think you're spot on.

HenryN - 9/12/2016 2:46:50 PM

-3 Boost

"A simple software update" - Do you have any idea how complex the algorithm is ?? The OTA update is "simple" and is only available by Tesla, but the work to get there takes many very bright people to accomplish.

If you have any idea on how adaptive learning (AI) works, you wouldn't have posted such comments.

cidflekken - 9/12/2016 10:14:32 PM

+6 Boost

Yes, a software update that took 4 months to develop and test would be considered "simple" in the big picture of life or death.

mre30 - 9/12/2016 3:49:49 PM

+6 Boost

I'm no lawyer, but this certainly sounds like a produce defect to me.

I stand by my newly suggested Tesla slogan...

"Tesla..the art of engineering and the science of tort law defense.."

MDarringer - 9/12/2016 7:14:58 PM

+2 Boost

Of course Musk says so.

7msynthetic - 9/14/2016 2:07:16 PM

+1 Boost

Trial and Error with Death - that should be the name of the next Elon Musk movie.