And those sensors require software (our brains) far surpassing anything man-made. Until we have the software capable of doing what the brain does, then we'll need better sensors to pick up the slack.

We know it can be done unsafely, to the tune of 30,000 deaths on American highways every year. We want cars to have super human sensor capability, otherwise, there's no point.

I think the criticism is real, but also that we market the pre-stage 4 technologies inappropriately by implementing them as binary "completely hands off, else emergency" systems. Integrated in a way that is more assisted, keeping the driver in control of the overall decisions but making some cautionary adjustments to implementation of those decisions to adjust speed or direction to stay in lane, avoid excessive tailgating, allow merges, etc., they could still be powerful tools to reduce some number of that death toll.

I agree, I would keep it is strictly a "backseat driver" assistant, looking to intervene when you're stupid, but the way Tesla is marketing this feature is dangerous. The software should not let you take your hands off the wheel and offer no "off switch" to get access to hidden 'full autopilot' mode, because people's lives are gated by the riskiest, dumbest drivers. This is one issue where being "open" with respect to the system software is bad, and being more "Apple"-like in imposing restrictions is for the greater good.

We know that the best driver in the world uses that sensor suite, and the worst. If every driver drove like the best human driver, never got tired or drunk, is that pointless?