Photo: YouTube screenshot
We've come to the point where if you google "Autopilot," you get more results linked with Tesla's driving aid system than anything related to aviation. The Autopilot has become a star - so much so, in fact, that even Elon Musk should feel threatened.
Unfortunately, this renown the semi-autonomous (not sure if we should keep referring to it this way) is enjoying now was built on several tragic events. Two of them, to be more precise, even though the circumstances of the one that happened in China aren't exactly clear yet.
But the Joshua Brown incident we know all too well. Back in May, the ex-Navy SEALs member was driving down a highway in his Tesla Model S with the Autopilot engaged. Having done so many times before, he gave the system a little too much trust and didn't pay enough attention to Tesla's guidelines on how to use the Autopilot, so he was involved in a fatal accident that could have been avoided had he been mindful of the road conditions.
But even though by far the most severe, this isn't the only situation where the Autopilot misfired. In fact, there have been several situations when the system failed to pick up the presence of stationary vehicles and crashed into them, even though with less severe repercussions. But even though the inability to spot a stopped van doesn't exactly account for good Autopilot advertising, the human component is to blame in each and every one of these crashes.
That's because Tesla insists that even though the name might fool some of the more gullible clients, the Autopilot isn't in any way an autonomous driving system. Ever since the regrettable crash in May, the Palo Alto company has been trying to convey this message, but has refused to change the Autopilot name claiming it does the same things as its aviation namesake, only on the road.
The German government, however, was not convinced. It began an investigation of Tesla's system, and came out calling it a "significant traffic hazard." But instead of banning the use of Autopilot on German roads - something that would have been difficult to enforce without the help of Tesla - as some voices were fearing, the Federal Transport Ministry chose a less severe course of action: it sent a letter to all German Tesla owners, Mobile Geeks reports.
The letter has not been officially translated into English, but you can read it below courtesy of Google Translate. In essence, it reiterates Tesla's warning against treating the Autopilot as a function that makes the vehicle autonomous, and advises drivers to keep an eye out on the road and be ready to jump in at all times.
Germany's decision not to play hardball and treat its Tesla-owning citizens like grown-ups who can make their own decision is commendable. It shows the state officials are open to progress and don't believe in a strict enforcing style that could curb progress. After all, that's what you would expect from a country with such a powerful car industry, right?
"Dear (r) Mr / Ms ...,
According to the documents present here you are holder of a vehicle [brand] [model]. Should the manufacturer offered assistance system "Autopilot" built in your vehicle, I see myself in front of the recently perceived in the public for this assistance system discussion prompted to draw your attention to the following:
With the built-in your vehicle called "autopilot" is a pure driver assistance system and not to a highly automated vehicle that can be operated without constant attention of the driver.
The use of this system in your vehicle requires at any time of its operation the constant and undivided attention of the user with respect to the directly prevailing traffic situation in order to comply with the legislation on road traffic (especially StVO) can.
Please observe also in the manufacturer's instructions for this purpose designated behavioral clues. This especially concerns which are listed in the chapter "Driver Assistance" "restrictions", describing the system boundaries and the associated warnings.
In this context, there is executed the following: "It is for the driver to stay alert, drive safely and at any time to keep control of the vehicle."
Should you not be more holders of the above-identified vehicle, I beg you, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to announce the name and address of the new holder or the whereabouts of the vehicle. If you are prompted specified in the letter e-mail address. [Alternative: reply card Add]
Best regards"
But the Joshua Brown incident we know all too well. Back in May, the ex-Navy SEALs member was driving down a highway in his Tesla Model S with the Autopilot engaged. Having done so many times before, he gave the system a little too much trust and didn't pay enough attention to Tesla's guidelines on how to use the Autopilot, so he was involved in a fatal accident that could have been avoided had he been mindful of the road conditions.
But even though by far the most severe, this isn't the only situation where the Autopilot misfired. In fact, there have been several situations when the system failed to pick up the presence of stationary vehicles and crashed into them, even though with less severe repercussions. But even though the inability to spot a stopped van doesn't exactly account for good Autopilot advertising, the human component is to blame in each and every one of these crashes.
That's because Tesla insists that even though the name might fool some of the more gullible clients, the Autopilot isn't in any way an autonomous driving system. Ever since the regrettable crash in May, the Palo Alto company has been trying to convey this message, but has refused to change the Autopilot name claiming it does the same things as its aviation namesake, only on the road.
The German government, however, was not convinced. It began an investigation of Tesla's system, and came out calling it a "significant traffic hazard." But instead of banning the use of Autopilot on German roads - something that would have been difficult to enforce without the help of Tesla - as some voices were fearing, the Federal Transport Ministry chose a less severe course of action: it sent a letter to all German Tesla owners, Mobile Geeks reports.
The letter has not been officially translated into English, but you can read it below courtesy of Google Translate. In essence, it reiterates Tesla's warning against treating the Autopilot as a function that makes the vehicle autonomous, and advises drivers to keep an eye out on the road and be ready to jump in at all times.
Germany's decision not to play hardball and treat its Tesla-owning citizens like grown-ups who can make their own decision is commendable. It shows the state officials are open to progress and don't believe in a strict enforcing style that could curb progress. After all, that's what you would expect from a country with such a powerful car industry, right?
"Dear (r) Mr / Ms ...,
According to the documents present here you are holder of a vehicle [brand] [model]. Should the manufacturer offered assistance system "Autopilot" built in your vehicle, I see myself in front of the recently perceived in the public for this assistance system discussion prompted to draw your attention to the following:
With the built-in your vehicle called "autopilot" is a pure driver assistance system and not to a highly automated vehicle that can be operated without constant attention of the driver.
The use of this system in your vehicle requires at any time of its operation the constant and undivided attention of the user with respect to the directly prevailing traffic situation in order to comply with the legislation on road traffic (especially StVO) can.
Please observe also in the manufacturer's instructions for this purpose designated behavioral clues. This especially concerns which are listed in the chapter "Driver Assistance" "restrictions", describing the system boundaries and the associated warnings.
In this context, there is executed the following: "It is for the driver to stay alert, drive safely and at any time to keep control of the vehicle."
Should you not be more holders of the above-identified vehicle, I beg you, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to announce the name and address of the new holder or the whereabouts of the vehicle. If you are prompted specified in the letter e-mail address. [Alternative: reply card Add]
Best regards"
Google News