Stanford Researcher Fears For The Lives Of Cyclists After Using Tesla's Autopilot

Tesla's Autopilot system is one of the best semi-autonomous driving suites in the automotive world, as The Drive's own Alex Roy has repeatedly stated—but it's not invulnerable to criticism. After spending some time behind the wheel of one of Elon Musk's electric vehicles, a researcher from Stanford University has issued a rather strong criticism: Tesla's Autopilot, according to her, exhibits some "frightening" behavior around cyclists. 

"I’d estimate that Autopilot classified ~30 percent of other cars, and 1 percent of bicyclists," Knight wrote in her piece entitled "Tesla Autopilot Review: Bikers will die" on the blog platform Medium. "Not being able to classify objects doesn’t mean the Tesla doesn’t see that something is there, but given the lives at stake, we recommend that people NEVER USE TESLA AUTOPILOT AROUND BICYCLISTS!" [Exclamation point and caps hers. —Ed.]

HenryN - 5/31/2017 3:23:22 PM

-5 Boost

I've always had high regards for scientists and engineers from Standford, but this "researcher" may make it an exception for me to change my view.

For research work involving modern tech and advanced AI, she comes poorly equipped: "the Tesla she and her colleague tested was equipped with the earlier version of Autopilot known as Hardware version 1". Her conclusion is therefore worthless - regardless of how much she shouts by writing in "ALL CAPS".

Speaking of bicycle safety, it's a crap shoot to ride along with auto traffic these days - maybe worse with cars driven by human.

MDarringer - 5/31/2017 4:19:57 PM

-1 Boost

I'm sure Clarkson loves any technology that is anti-cyclist.

mre30 - 5/31/2017 6:27:32 PM

+4 Boost

This seems like a very valid concern and observation to me. I cycle (bicycle and motorcycle) quite a bit and given my track record here on Autospies, perhaps Mr. Musk has programmed the Tesla facial-rec software to seek me out and 'accidentally' run me over in autopilot mode?

Add motorcycles to that mix! Equally concerning!

Perhaps Tesla will be insolvent or out of business before any cyclists or pedestrians are killed.

carloslassiter - 5/31/2017 10:15:27 PM

-4 Boost

Are you guys afraid of all technology? Or only technology in Teslas?

MDarringer - 6/1/2017 8:27:21 AM

-1 Boost

If Teslas kill cyclists, I'm OK with that.