Tesla launches 'autopilot' update for its cars

[aceplace57]

thats Telsa! copy/paste chopped off the T

The future has arrived. This thing navigates, drives and parks itself. But, the driver is still liable for any accidents. So no sleeping or book reading at the wheel.

Anyone here got this car and looking forward to the software update?

Tesla launches 'autopilot' update but urges caution

While not fully self-driving, the software means the Model S and new Model X can “automatically steer down the highway, change lanes, and adjust speed in response to traffic”.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the autopilot mode was designed to increase driver confidence on the road.

However, Mr Musk said users adopting the software - available in North America from Thursday - should exercise caution while using it.

“It should not hit pedestrians, hopefully,” he told the media. “It should handle them well.”

He added that if the car is involved in a collision, the driver is still liable.

[aceplace57]

How long do you think it will be before combustion engine cars get this self driving tech?

I have to admit that I’m jealous and want a electric car. But Telsa is so expensive. The tax breaks help. But 75k is still too rich for my blood.

The tax loophole that can save you big bucks off a Tesla Model X

Elon Musk and Tesla Motors, masterful at mining state and federal tax incentives, may have lucked into a tax loophole. The company’s new $100,000-plus Model X electric SUV qualifies for a $25,000 federal tax deduction.

That’s on top of a $7,500 federal tax credit and a $2,500 California rebate given to buyers of battery-electric vehicles.

The right buyer, a small-business owner with a substantial federal tax exposure, could place an order for the new seven-seater and collect up to $35,000 in tax and government rebate benefits.

[Uosdwis_R.Dewoh]

Yes, the future is truly here. All the way from the far away time of 2013 when Mercedes came out with an S-class with all of these features, except for the lane changing. Link

The car in action.

Adaptive cruise control (which “adjust speed in response to traffic” alludes to) has been around for many years and even the Tesla Model S has had it since it first went on sale.

[aceplace57]

I know computer assisted braking (crash avoidance) and parking assist came out in cars a few years ago.

Telsa seems to have integrated several systems into one hands free package. It sure gets me excited for the future. It’s great seeing this tech finally out on the market. I know driver-less cars are still years away from hitting the market. This is the next best thing.

[Novelty_Bobble]

I’m pretty sure all of those features were options I could specify on my recently purchased (mid-range, fairly boring) car.
I know that it had adaptive cruise control, lane control, speed sign recognition and adaptation, self parking, auto braking, post-crash safety measures, auto lights, wipers, mirrors.

I think I still had to be present to turn it on but that was about it.

[enipla]

“Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the autopilot mode was designed to increase driver confidence on the road.”

Huh? In what way does giving the car control increase the drivers confidence on the road??? It’s certainly not making the person a better driver.

[Diceman]

@enipla

“Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the autopilot mode was designed to increase driver confidence on the road.”

Huh? In what way does giving the car control increase the drivers confidence on the road??? It’s certainly not making the person a better driver.

I’m sure it will give them confidence to send texts, talk on the phone, or read a book while driving :eek:

I’m still waiting for the inevitable lawsuits that will follow the inevitable accidents that arise from drivers who foolishly assume they don’t need to pay attention anymore. I don’t think any automaker will dare to market a fully-autonomous vehicle until/unless laws are enacted to shield them. The liability would be nearly unimaginable. (Of course, that will bring its own problems…)

[aceplace57]

Telsa Autopilot is not hands free driving. Very interesting to finally learn what its really like driving these cars. The reporter’s experiences trying “hands free” are quite scary. The car tracked onto a car coming the other direction. Tried to drive head-on into it.

These systems are obviously still a few years away from being completely ready. Why would I want this system if I have to hold the wheel anyway?

Footage shows what happens when Tesla autonomous driving goes wrong 

Reporters who took Model S sedans with the new features for a test drive and took their hands off the wheel saw a notice saying ‘hold steering wheel’ illuminate on the dashboard.

In more difficult navigating conditions, an audio alert will come on and if that also is ignored, the car will slow and eventually stop, Tesla said.

For drivers, ‘We’re very clearly saying this is not a case of abdicating responsibility,’ Musk said. ‘That will come at some point in the future but…this is still early days.’

Instructions to owners say ‘autosteer is a hands-on feature. You must keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times.’

‘I admit I started to ignore the warning to keep my hands on the wheel so that I could record the moment to share with friends,’ YouTube user RockStarTree wrote.

'That’s when all hell broke loose.

‘My car was tracking the car in front of me to successfully steer, but I was going slower and that car eventually drifted far ahead of me.’
The first time the car begins veer away from its lane, there is no oncoming traffic, and so the incident is dismissed.

But as the video continues, the driver finds himself almost hitting an oncoming car.

[aceplace57]

CNet has a good article on why this is failing. A poster earlier in the thread called this tech Adaptive cruise control. Thats really the best way to think of it. Its not autopilot.

Funny thing is. People want this tech so badly. They want the future now and they try hands free driving. The tech just isn’t ready yet.

Tesla Autopilot fail videos emerge, because nobody likes to listen

it’s still technically in a beta-testing phase. Still, it has the potential to send the tech-averse into a frenzy, especially when the media gets involved. The only problem with this is that it’s not the car’s fault as much as it is the driver’s.

Tesla made explicit mention, both during its press conference and afterwards on its website, that the driver should remain in control of the vehicle at all times. Yes, there are several videos (CNET’s included) showing plenty of hands-off driving, but that was under the supervision of Tesla employees.

This flagrant disregard for the rules is what will doom semi-autonomous driving before it truly takes off. An accident will occur, the media will jump all over it, and everybody will ask if the technology is truly ready for the road. Trouble is, everybody is calling this “autonomous driving” when it still requires plenty of human intervention.