Tesla confirms “Autopilot” crash in Montana

Re:Tesla confirms “Autopilot” crash in Montana by sangnoir on Wednesday July 13, 2016 @04:09AM (#12084655)

> If it's a good enough name for airplanes, it's a good enough names for cars

* The real autopilot doesn't require hands-on-the-yoke while it is engaged, but 'autopilot' does.

* Airplanes don't have to deal with complex traffic conditions requiring interaction with other airplanes

* Airplanes do not smash into lane barriers/trees if they veer a few feet off the expected course

* "Taking control" on an airplane could safely take tens of seconds, but for a car, that is far too long.

So no, autopilot isn't good enough for cars. Cars need something much better.

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Re:Tesla confirms “Autopilot” crash in Montana by neurotech1 on Wednesday July 13, 2016 @09:20PM (#12091075)

Aircraft (with over 9 passengers) are required to have TCAS[0]. TCAS issues a resolution advisory if conflicting traffic is detected, and if the approaching aircraft also maneuvers, TCAS can issue a "Reversal" if needed.

Airport Runways have typically have edge lighting, and if an aircraft is off-center during takeoff or landing, can hit them and do damage[1]. Airliners land at 150mph+ so it doesn't take much deviation to hit the edge lights. Occasionally, this also happens during a gusty cross-wind landing while coupled to autopilot (auto-land), or immediately after a touchdown after a coupled landing.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_collision_avoidance_sy...

[1] http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/etihad-plane-hits-r...

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