Re:Tesla stock tumbles after Model S catches fire
by mkr-hn on Thursday October 03, 2013 @10:56AM
(#6489307)
It's worth remembering that airplanes are only the safest way to travel because they put black boxes in the backs of planes to figure out why they were crashing constantly.
Trillions of miles later, we freak out if a plane's landing gear fails and the plane has to skid to an otherwise uneventful landing.
Re:Tesla stock tumbles after Model S catches fire
by dorfsmay on Thursday October 03, 2013 @11:34AM
(#6489634)
And the fact that pilots spend a lot mote time in training than drivers, and the fact that there are two pilots, and Air Traffic Controllers, and computers constantly checking the pilots input as well as the flight conditions, and ...
Re:Tesla stock tumbles after Model S catches fire
by mkr-hn on Thursday October 03, 2013 @11:44AM
(#6489724)
That helps prevent pilot errors. It doesn't help identify mechanical/software failures after the plane is in billions of tiny pieces.
Re:Tesla stock tumbles after Model S catches fire
by codex on Thursday October 03, 2013 @12:41PM
(#6490136)
Also, plains undergo near-constant diagnostics and preventative maintenance work.
Re:Tesla stock tumbles after Model S catches fire
by mkr-hn on Thursday October 03, 2013 @01:20PM
(#6490411)
Don't most new cars carry some kind of data recorder? If a failure is due to pilot error or lack of maintenance, we can at least use the data pulled from the melted, twisted wreck to rule out design flaws.
Re:Tesla stock tumbles after Model S catches fire
by toomuchtodo on Thursday October 03, 2013 @01:41PM
(#6490547)
They do, but its built into the airbag system, and only commits the last 15-30 seconds of vehicle data when the airbag is triggered.
Tesla and GM vehicles have more sophisticated telematics than other car makers, and I'm sure Tesla is taking advantage of the data (battery pack performance, etc). You'll also get a call if your battery charge drops to a level that will damage your battery.
On the other hand, gas power cars have been on the road for a century now, manufacturers have had time to improve safety based, on accidents. Electric car manufacturer can improve from what is right now an excellent record (no explosion).
Let's also not forget that there are more than just Tesla cars out there with the bottom full of batteries: Toyota, Honda and GMC hybrid cars are in the same situation, so the sample isn't as small as you make it sound.