How Safe Is Tesla Autopilot?

Re:How Safe Is Tesla Autopilot? by mikeash on Monday September 19, 2016 @01:52PM (#12533259)

There are many degrees of autopilot. It can be something as simple as a connection between a gyrocompass and the rudder to hold heading, all the way up to a fully automatic takeoff, cruise, and landing system.

The issue supposedly is that people have no idea about this, though, and think (because of movies?) that "autopilot" means it does everything. I'm still not sure if I believe it, but if so it has nothing to do with real autopilots.

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Re:How Safe Is Tesla Autopilot? by TheSpiceIsLife on Monday September 19, 2016 @02:53PM (#12533766)

When I hear "autopilot" I think of movies where the pilot flicks a switch then gets up and has a coffee while chatting to an air hostess.

Tesla's marketing many people know this is what people think of too, as the general population is never well versed in any area of speciality, by definition.

Calling it autopilot is misleading. Cars aren't aircraft and drivers aren't pilots.

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