Sounds like some politician is crumbling under the weight of his automotive manufacturers’ lobbyists. Or perhaps it’s the weight of their campaign donations. Or maybe it’s his state’s automotive dealers’ lobby.
Consumer Reports reversing its position on Tesla Autopilot:
And I agree with their call to “rename” Autopilot. It is not comparable to an airplane autpilot, because airlline pilots are highly trained and know the technical limits af their planes’ autopilot systems. Unlike Josh Brown who had no idea his “autpilot” wouldn’t be able to see a truck turning in front of him.
It’s also not comparable to an airplane autpilot, because airplane autopilots are generally used in cruise, far from other airplanes, not when a split second of inattention could result in a collision with another airplane.
So either train all Tesla drivers like airplane pilots, or stop calling it Autopilot.
“Acclaimed by experts as one of the greatest inventions ever developed”.
So either train all Tesla drivers like airplane pilots, or stop calling it Autopilot.
That’s a very good point. A new feature like this - the owners should be thoroughly trained on it…and any problems that may arise. I don’t know if they did or didn’t…but this technology is so new and the potential of killing you or others.
jesmed1: I agree. Auto? Yes. Used by a highly trained and regularly tested pilot? No. Contemporary drivers frequently display a lack of basic skills and knowledge.
I was looking up something regarding their charging methods/time and saw that they have a fancy term for the person that introduces you to your new car-
When your Model S arrives, your Delivery Experience Specialist will explain how to use the Mobile Connector.
This person should be responsible for educating you on the features of the car. If this were my business, at a minimum as a customer you’d be signing a form indicating what you had been taught and that you understand the limitations/risks/responsibilities.
This 1956 GM vision of “AutoPilot” cars of the future is pretty hilarious. It even features an airport-type control tower that the driver radios to before switching to autopilot.
Educating someone on how something works is not the same as training them on how it works. There’s a HUGE difference.
Delivery Experience Specialist…
That reminds me of a nearby upscale bar. They call it a gastropub. The daughter of the owner stopped by to say hello and check on our meals and beers. She left her card, and here job title is Chief Experience Officer. I got a chuckle from that.
Educating someone on how something works is not the same as training them on how it works. There’s a HUGE difference.
Opinions vary…
Yeah that was funny. 50 mph all the way to Chicago. I hope that poor guy in the bubble control tower has a good HVAC system.
I dunno, I just think regardless of what they call it or whether they inform or train or whatever, it behooves the driver to take responsibility for the safe operation. Aren’t we getting silly in our old age thinking changing the name will inspire more personal responsibility, or whether we believe what a sales person or company engineer says without any of our own evaluation. Too bad the guy died, but really was it the name that caused the accident?
Informing ( While customer is thinking about who knows what). WARNINGS in owner’s manual. 1% read that. In any sane court those are not going to release liability.
Interesting test drive video from MotorTrend. Two scary moment: Autopilot starts to drift left into oncoming traffic, and then almost drives into the back of a (white) parked truck.
The truck Josh Brown’s Tesla hit was reportedly also white, against a bright sky, just like the near-miss in this video.
I see a pattern emerging…
Some people concentrating on texting while walking step in front of moving vehicles, fall in fountains or off cliffs. Pokey Man Go (sp. …who cares, I don’t) users walk into peoples’ bedrooms looking for video images. Others in cars trust a GPS or “auto pilot” to guide them safely and drive into lakes or other vehicles.
Personally, I don’t blame the devices. The pattern involves a new breed of creatures, not necessarily a new breed of killer machines. In the past, we’d rely heavily on common sense.
CSA
It isn’t the devices. It’s the loose nuts behind the steering wheels.
Interesting that the “car of the future” has great visibility, specially to the sides and rear, compared to today’s low visibility cars !!
And, yet, cops will still hear “I never saw him” at almost every accident.
If Tesla admits the function isn’t fully tested and still in the “Beta” stage of development, and the gov’t allowed them to sell it, seems to me the gov’t or persons in the gov’t who approved that is most at fault when an accident occurs, rather than Tesla.
George, these are not military vehicles. The government does not review and approve each vehicle feature.
>Educating someone on how something works is not the same as training them on how it works. There's a HUGE difference.Opinions vary.
And that’s the difference between academia and industry.