But on Thursday, Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla, took a big step in that direction when he announced that the maker of high-end electric cars would introduce autonomous technology by this summer. The technology would allow drivers to have their cars take control on what he called “major roads” like highways.
Mr. Musk said that a software update—not a repair performed by a mechanic—would give Tesla’s Model S sedans the ability to start driving themselves, at least part of the time, in a hands-free mode that the company refers to as autopilot.
The article is short on specifics and the Tesla site itself does not yet have anything on the announcement, but if it's true it will be another example of how aggressively the company is pushing the envelope, much as it did with the Roadster, Model S, battery swapping stations, and supercharger network. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this is that it will require no mechanical adjustment or modification of the Model S's that are already out in the wild--it's an over-the-air software update. It seems to be quite unique for a car company's models to continue to improve *after* you've bought them.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by wonkey_monkey on Saturday March 21 2015, @11:33AM
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this is that it will require no mechanical adjustment or modification of the Model S's that are already out in the wild--it's an over-the-air software update.
That sounded crazy at first, but as the article poiints out, plenty of cars already have what amount to autonomous highway modes - lane keep assist, collision avoidance, cruise control. According to the article, though, they all currently require the driver to keep his hands on the wheel. I guess the update can just dismiss that requirement, and voila - your car is now fully autonomous. On the highway, at least.
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 5, Informative) by mmcmonster on Saturday March 21 2015, @11:54AM
Actually, most of the Model S's on the road currently are not going to be able to do this. The ones that have been rolling off the production line in the last 6 months with the optional "tech package with autopilot" have the required sensors.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 21 2015, @01:32PM
I'm a little surprised they would release this for highway driving (high speed) first. Seems like a smaller "baby step" would be to turn on lane following in addition to low speed cruise control...self driving while creeping in bumper-to-bumper traffic jams?
Separate question -- does anyone know the peak torque of the motor on the steering? Can the driver overpower it if something fails and the steering goes "hard over" or other fault? Something to think about in 10 years when the car is still on the road...
(Score: 2) by Jeremiah Cornelius on Saturday March 21 2015, @01:50PM
TWO WORDS: "Highway head".
'nuff said.
You're betting on the pantomime horse...
(Score: 3, Insightful) by M. Baranczak on Saturday March 21 2015, @04:43PM
No, I'm not surprised. Driving on the highway seems like a much easier software problem than driving in the city. Speed is kind of irrelevant - the navigation computer can probably make decisions faster than the hardware can respond.
(Score: 2) by Adamsjas on Sunday March 22 2015, @03:59AM
Except that most of the Teslas on the road do not hav the appropriate sensor suite to accomplish this driving.
Even the later models have nothing more than was industry standard for high-end cars from Chrysler, Cadillac, Lexus, etc most of which did not have lane following.
GPS is not accurate enough for lane following, so optical inputs are needed, and most cars and Teslas do not have a competent camera system to read lane markings. And if that section of road is well worn, lane lines can disappear completely without warning. Even on freeways. A human can deduce where the lane is, but a camera system can't.
I suspect Tesla's abilities will not be up to snuff unless or until lane optics are installed on future models.
(Score: 2) by gnuman on Saturday March 21 2015, @11:04PM
does anyone know the peak torque of the motor on the steering? Can the driver overpower it if something fails and the steering goes "hard over" or other fault?
Soon enough it will be "fly-by-wire" only so this will be moot. Some cars already do this today.
(Score: 1) by Farkus888 on Monday March 23 2015, @07:53PM
Fly by wire steering is illegal, at least in my state. There must be a physical connection between the steering wheel and wheels. That rule is there to prevent a hydraulic line break causing a complete loss of steering but would apply here as well because both the wording and intent are to prevent that sort of situation.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 21 2015, @12:28PM
It's obviously going to be more limited than what some of the headlines suggest, but it's still a big deal.
These transitional driver assistance modes could get drivers complacent, but it ought to be legally sound. Press the button, go driverless on the highway, you assume all "risk" for keeping your hands off the wheel.
Elon Musk's companies have been keeping themselves in the business/tech news every week, even every day. SpaceX launches, Tesla/SolarCity home battery packs, improved Tesla range with OTA update, now "driverless" Tesla with OTA update. If Musk can keep Tesla profitable as it grows, he will live up to the growing hype surrounding him and assume Steve Jobs' mantle.
(Score: 2) by cmn32480 on Saturday March 21 2015, @02:50PM
We wait a year (minimum) or 1 Service Pack on MS software. Most wait on installing the latest release from Apple or Google for their smart devices.
Those are not life threatening decisions.
This software update could kill you, should you choose to use it. I'd be a little skeptical and cautious if it was me.
"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear" - Norm Peterson
(Score: 1, Disagree) by NotSanguine on Saturday March 21 2015, @06:29PM
Prosecutor: When your car struck the median, flipped over and crushed the decedent on the motorcycle, what were you doing?
Defendant: I was removing nail polish from my finger and toe nails. I was on my way to the salon you see, and I had a hair appointment right afterwards, so I wanted to get ahead of the game.
Prosecutor: You were removing nail polish? From your toenails? While driving? Weren't your hands on the driver's wheel? Weren't you watching the road?
Defendant: I don't need to do that stuff anymore! I have Tesla autopilot. If anyone's to blame for this terrible tragedy, it's Tesla's autopilot! For heaven's sake, I was in a hurry. I told you!
Prosecutor: Is it your testimony that you stopped driving your car and proceeded to work on your nails, relying on your car to drive itself?
Defendant: Of course! That's why they call it 'autopilot'! This is stupid! Your honor! May I go now? I have a mani-pedi scheduled for this afternoon.
Need I go on? Until there is legislation and at least some case law, relying on *any* autonomous driving features in an automobile is a recipe for disaster and a (perhaps lengthy) prison sentence. Tesla is also opening its customers and itself up to massive liability when (not if) this autonomous mode fails, and/or customers assume they can hop in the back seat for a nap or a quickie while the car drives itself.
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 3, Informative) by dltaylor on Sunday March 22 2015, @12:19AM
Having the vehicle capable of interference in my control is not an improvement.
I've had failure where cars couldn't respond as efficiently as accustomed (power steering, and stuck throttle on an old cable driven system), but I NEVER want a car that can override my controls, whether steering, throttle, or brake, Warning me (think "shake" warning for aircraft stall, or, a projected highlight on a window or mirror, like the lane change warning flashing in some mirrors), please, although my current car's proximity RADAR is brain-damaged, but do NOT take away my control, because I will not be buying the car.