Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Drivers Pushing Tesla’s Autopilot Beyond Its Abilities

posted by cmn32480 on Thursday October 29 2015, @07:33AM   Printer-friendly
from the not-quite-prime-time dept.

tt0085333 writes:

The wireless update of vehicles to Version 7.0 of Tesla software enabled properly equipped cars to steer, switch lanes, and manage speed on its own. A number of Tesla drivers immediately took to the road to test the limits of Autopilot—taking their hands fully off the wheel and seeing how far the car could drive itself down highways, country lanes, and suburban streets.

That led to dangerous situations and near accidents, as evidenced by videos made by drivers (while driving) and posted to YouTube.

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Drivers Pushing Tesla’s Autopilot Beyond Its Abilities | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 33 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 29 2015, @08:25AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 29 2015, @08:25AM (#255931)

    It the computer actually knows what to do, it can respond faster than a human driver. It can look in all directions at once; instead of looking away for a second to shoulder-check.

    YES, we KNEW the autopilot is for highway driving only, we didn't shut it off as a test to see what would happen

    - 2015-10-15 With 'Seany-cab' ©®TM LLC The future has arrived...well, almost. [youtube.com]

    I may be nit-picking word-choice here, but in my jurisdiction, every road, right down to the bike paths where motor vehicles are prohibited, are considered highways. The Tesla autopilot is designed for freeway driving where traffic interaction at intersections is deliberately limited (with over-passes and the like), and lanes are clearly marked.

  • (Score: 2) by tibman on Thursday October 29 2015, @01:53PM

    by tibman (134) Subscriber Badge on Thursday October 29 2015, @01:53PM (#256010)

    I believe you are right. Here is the definition: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freewaymgmt/publications/frwy_mgmt_handbook/chapter1_02.htm#1-5 [dot.gov]

    --
    SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.

    • (Score: 2) by FatPhil on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:08PM

      by FatPhil (863) <reversethis-{if.fdsa} {ta} {tnelyos-cp}> on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:08PM (#256022) Homepage
      I believe the reference you cite contradicts your claim. First of all it does *not* define "highway", despite your assertion that it does, and secondly the existence of 'The FHWA publication "Managing our Congested Streets & Highways"' implies that there are streets which are not highways.
      --
      Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves

      • (Score: 1) by Francis on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:17PM

        by Francis (5544) on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:17PM (#256030)

        The differences are merely funding and designation.In town you'd never know some of our streets are really highways without looking at the signs.

      • (Score: 2) by tibman on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:50PM

        by tibman (134) Subscriber Badge on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:50PM (#256046)

        It defines Freeway very clearly though. The difference between a street and a highway seems to be a thing but is never made clear. You are certainly correct there. But the ACs point was that Tesla's Autopilot was for Freeways and not Highways.

        --
        SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.

        • (Score: 2) by FatPhil on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:56PM

          by FatPhil (863) <reversethis-{if.fdsa} {ta} {tnelyos-cp}> on Thursday October 29 2015, @02:56PM (#256050) Homepage
          Yes, you're right, sorry for the interruption. AC muddied the water whilst trying to clarify things.
          --
          Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 29 2015, @03:47PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 29 2015, @03:47PM (#256075)

        Well, I guess I have to disclose my general location:

        PART I - PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
        ...

        DEFINITIONS 2 In this bylaw unless otherwise defined:
        ...

        (k)
        "highway" means any thoroughfare, street, road, trail, avenue, parkway, viaduct, lane, alley, square, bridge, causeway, trestleway or other place, whether publicly or privately owned, any part of which the public is ordinarily entitled or permitted to use for the passage or parking of vehicles, and includes:
        1. a sidewalk, including a boulevard adjacent to the sidewalk
        2. if a ditch lies adjacent to and parallel with the roadway, the ditch, and
        3. if a highway right of way is contained between fences or between a fence and one side of the roadway, all the land between the fences, or all the land between the fence and the edge of the roadway, as the case may be,
        but does not include a place declared by regulation not to be a highway;

        - THE CITY OF EDMONTON [edmonton.ca]
        BYLAW 5590
        TRAFFIC BYLAW
        (CONSOLIDATED ON JUNE 23, 2015)

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 29 2015, @04:10PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 29 2015, @04:10PM (#256081)

          At least it's not Calgary...