Tesla has the capability to deliver changes to Autopilot software via over-the-air updates, though Musk did not share any specifics or a timeframe for the improvements and did not indicate what sparked the discussion with the supplier about improving the system that particular week.
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Consumer Reports said the Autopilot name promotes “a potentially unsafe assumption” that the vehicle is capable of driving on its own.
Researchers have concluded that the human mind will naturally wander when it isn’t fully focused on a particular task, such as driving, Forbes reports. “Tesla should disable automatic steering in its cars until it updates the programme to verify that the driver’s hands are on the wheel”.
But California-based Tesla defended the product and its name, saying Autopilot functions like the systems that airplane pilots use when conditions are clear. The publication wrote earlier this week that it wanted Tesla to rename the technology, feeling the term “Autopilot” to be misleading, and even remove the hands-free system from its cars until it’s proven to be safer. He added that “manufacturers must educate consumers not only about their benefits but also their limitations”.
Tesla is already under investigation by US NHTSA and Securities and Exchange Commission following the recent series of crashes linked to the automaker’s semi-autonomous Autopilot system, including a fatal one in Florida on May 7. This incident ignited the debate on how safe is the autopilot features in cars not limited to the ones involving Tesla.
Elon Musk took to Twitter Sunday evening to tease updates to Tesla’s troubled Autopilot feature.
While most of the consumers are patiently waiting to know the “top secret masterplan” to be revealed by Tesla, the business website called Bloomberg has highlighted a slight change in the mission statement of the company; it says “sustainable energy” now, whereas it was “sustainable transport” previously. But today, we’re deeply concerned that consumers are being sold a pile of promises about unproven technology. Upon detecting no hands, an alert will go off and will slow down the vehicle until the driver’s hands are back on the steering wheel. “We will continue to develop, validate, and release those enhancements as the technology grows”, the spokeswoman said. Autopilot is created to assist drivers and to use the autopilot technology as a solution to driving hoes and not elevate accidents with it.
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It seems that the Tesla vehicles have a type of black box in them that is able to keep a track of what features in the auto are used.
