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Two Soylentils wrote in with news of a fatal accident involving a Tesla vehicle. Please note that the feature in use, called "Autopilot" is not the same as an autonomous vehicle. It provides lane-keeping, cruise control, and safe-distance monitoring, but the driver is expected to be alert and in control at all times. -Ed.
Man Killed in Crash of 'Self-Driving' Car
Tech Insider reports that an Ohio man was killed on 7 May when his Tesla Model S, with its autopilot feature turned on, went under a tractor-trailer.
Further information:
- Tesla Motors blog
- NHTSA report
- video uploaded by the victim, demonstrating use of the autopilot feature
Tesla Autopilot - Fatal Accident
Accident is reported to have happened in May, and reported to NHTSA/DOT immediately by Tesla. But not public until the end of June -- something a bit fishy about this reporting lag.
On the other hand, the accident is described as one that might have also been difficult for an alert human to have avoided:
The May crash occurred when a tractor trailer drove across a divided highway, where a Tesla in autopilot mode was driving. The Model S passed under the tractor trailer, and the bottom of the trailer hit the Tesla vehicle's windshield.
"Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied," Tesla wrote.
This was the first reporting found--by the time it makes the SN front page there may be more details. Because this is a "first" it seems likely that a detailed investigation and accident reconstruction will be performed.
(Score: 2) by theluggage on Friday July 01 2016, @12:43PM
Please note that the feature in use, called "Autopilot"
...is stupidly named if its not suitable for hands-off driving, because - sure as eggs is eggs - that's how some people will use it. That's why we can't have nice things...
Sounds like either the Tesla driver and/or the tractor trailer driver are primarily responsible for this particular accident (more data needed). Either the car had time to brake but didn't or it happened so quickly that the car stood no chance. That really needs to be determined first completely independently of the autopilot issue.
Whatever the outcome, Tesla need to think long and hard about pushing pseudo-autonomous tech out there before it is bulletproof. Having a clear disclaimer might get them out of direct liability - but deciding liability doesn't bring people back to life (sometimes, you'd think that it did) and deluding yourself that people will observe a disclaimer when (other) lives are at stake is just plain irresponsible.
Autonomous vehicles are a great idea and, when perfected, could make the roads a much safer place. Trouble is - I don't see a half-way-house between the currently available systems (lane/speed/proximity warnings, emergency braking, assistance with parallel parking) - where the computer keeps an eye on the driver - and full "hands off, phone out" auto-drive (because drivers can not be relied upon to keep an eye on the computer).
Not a good application for Agile development...