Re:Tesla issues strongest statement yet blaming driver for d...
by Robotbeat on Thursday April 12, 2018 @08:57AM
(#16820381)
It’s called autopilot because “autopilot” already has a technical meaning which doesn’t imply self-driving. Heck, some aircraft autopilots are so primitive they only keep the aircraft in level flight without terrain following (although some do that). No versions of autopilot mean the pilot doesn’t have to pay attention. This is all already established through broad use before Tesla introduced the term to cars.
The same linguistic games you’re trying to play for “autopilot” apply just as well to “cruise control” or worse, since that term didn’t have an already-understood technical definition when introduced to cars.
If it's not self-driving, don't call it Autopilot, and don't lull people into a false sense of security. Even with alarms to try and keep the driver engaged, people are inherently going to place more faith in 'Autopilot' than 'Enhanced Cruise Control' or something similarly named.
The marketing around this feature is reckless, and Tesla + Musk should be ashamed. To the point that I would consider working on that team to be immoral.
For what it's worth, this is coming from a big Musk fan.