Was Tesla's Autopilot Designed To Be Convenient At The Expense Of Safety?

There is a simple explanation for the latest Tesla Autopilot crash. It is not as simple as blaming the "driver," although that's where legal responsibility falls. It's also not as simple as blaming Tesla Autopilot, which isn't a technology but a brand comprised of an evolving set of functionalities. It is the same explanation as every other crash attributed to Tesla Autopilot that has ever occurred, and every crash that will occur in the future as long Tesla or anyone else offers such systems.

The explanation is that "series" automated driving systems—of which Tesla Autopilot is one of only two good ones—cannot eliminate these types of crashes, even if they work perfectly.

Why? Because they're not designed to.

SanJoseDriver - 4/16/2018 1:26:22 PM

-4 Boost

Obviously not, statistically it already enhances safety. Really looking forward to the latest stats from the NHSTA.

Could Autopilot have been held back for a few more years? Absolutely. If you could save 6-7 lives at the expense of 3, is it worth having it now... yeah I think so. As long as you are not more likely to die or kill someone by using it, there is a benefit to the functionality... especially if being used correctly. As far as I know 0 people have died using Autopilot who were using it properly and paying attention.

SanJoseDriver - 4/18/2018 1:28:54 PM

+1 Boost

That is incorrect.

JRobUSC - 4/16/2018 4:38:15 PM

+4 Boost

"Could Autopilot have been held back for a few more years? Absolutely. If you could save 6-7 lives at the expense of 3, is it worth having it now... yeah I think so. As long as you are not more likely to die or kill someone by using it, there is a benefit to the functionality... especially if being used correctly. As far as I know 0 people have died using Autopilot who were using it properly and paying attention."

Weighing actual lives lost vs possible maybe lives saved is tricky. I'm not sure how to quantify the number of people that are alive today because of "Autopilot", but we can pretty easily quantify the number of people that aren't alive because of it.

MDarringer - 4/17/2018 8:27:10 AM

0 Boost

"Weighing actual lives lost vs possible maybe lives saved is tricky."

It's also illogical reasoning. Because the number of lives saved is theoretical rather than factual.

So Tesla creates a technology to save lives, but of the lives it saves, it hills half as many as per the supposed truth of SanJoseDriver.

SanJoseDriver - 4/18/2018 1:31:06 PM

+1 Boost

Statistically that is not true. You can look at the number of fatal accidents per mile driven with Autopilot versus without autopilot. That gives you a good metric for lives saved.

mpls - 4/16/2018 4:46:02 PM

+5 Boost

One f the worst article ever.. if it does nt function as true auto pilot then the labelling and marketing of it as such is wrong.

TomM - 4/16/2018 6:04:48 PM

0 Boost

Sorry - but YOU do not know what an AUTOPILOT in an aircraft is then.

Autopilot for commercial carriers REQUIRES at least one of the airplanes pilots to BE AT THE CONTROLS at all times - AND it does not normally perform takeoffs and landings of the plane as well.

And in fact - that is what Autopilot for Tesla requires - a person to be at the controls at all time - to be ready to take over.

GeorgeD - 4/16/2018 6:49:36 PM

+4 Boost

A pilot receives proper training to understand how "AutoPilot" works. The average driver does not retain common sense. So, when the driver listen's to the word "AutoPilot", they think it's a set it and forget about it button.

mpls - 4/16/2018 6:39:49 PM

+3 Boost

Autopilot can do landind in fact , and it is known as catIIIb (autoland) !

The point being, on a Tesla what's happened to autobraking especially when coming up to a statinary vehicles blocking a land or diverting lanes.. it can't even handle them. Tesla Autopilot should be called driver asists rather than autopilot.. it can't even get the basics right...

atc98092 - 4/17/2018 8:06:27 AM

+2 Boost

Actually, autoland requires CATIIIc capability both at the airport and on the airplane (special equipment and certification at both), plus the pilots have to be certified at that level. Very few airports are certified for it, as well as few planes and pilots. Yes, it's possible. But in practice virtually never used.

MDarringer - 4/16/2018 8:29:20 PM

+2 Boost

A full ban of hands-free driving is in order.

senft - 4/18/2018 5:19:47 AM

+1 Boost

Calling it Autopilot was the first mistake. It isn't an actual autopilot system.

mpls - 4/18/2018 4:00:19 PM

+1 Boost

TomM...

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/04/why-selling-full-self-driving-before-its-ready-could-backfire-for-tesla/

read and tell me if Tesla isn't lying in their autopilot capabilities ?

mpls - 4/18/2018 4:04:31 PM

+1 Boost

look at Elon's eye.. farefteced maybe, but don't they say those looking to the right ( their right) are signs of a liar ?