Products liability… This is why any household cleaners come with very clear instructions on how not to use a product and, if used incorrectly, to “immediately seek medical attention.” You would think that they would make it painstakingly apparent that their vehicles are not fully autonomous. The general public cannot be expected to know the varying levels of vehicle automation (0-5). It is up to the manufacturer to educate them–especially when you are driving a four thousand pound lithium battery down the highway at 70 mph…….
Not only do the warnings appear in the user manual (which I understand >80% of the people don’t read), there’s also a BIG WARNING on the vehicle’s instrument cluster telling drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and be ready to take over from the Autopilot system at any given moment. Besides changing the system’s name, what other type of warning do you expect car manufacturers to do?
Well realistically, since Tesla are on the “cutting edge” of the technology the burden falls on them to educate the consumer. Evidently their instructions are not clear enough because there have been multiple fatalities blamed on Tesla’s autopilot feature. I think Volvo tends to lead by example in the industry–they investigate and track EVERY fatality in a Volvo vehicle which is way above the industry standard. My point is that Tesla has a duty to go above the industry standard because they are the industry leader in autopilot technology.
Additionally, Tesla are choosing the term AUTOPILOT. Autopilot in other industries (aviation for example) literally implies “hands off.” No wonder these is mass confusion in the marketplace regarding Tesla’s improperly marketing “autopilot” system.
I completely agree AUTOPILOT is a horrible name and adds to the confusion, which is why I asked what Tesla could do besides changing that name. I think any reasonable person who takes the time to look at the big flashing warning the car gives saying “STILL PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD YOU DOLT – YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE OVER AT ANY MOMENT!!!!!” realizes the limitations of the system. Those who ignore that will never learn, no matter how much proper marketing Tesla does to try and explain the system. Aside from having the driver hit “accept” to the T&C of Autopilot like we do when we’re online, or making them sign a form when they buy the car, (or again, changing the name of the system), I really don’t see how else Tesla could properly warn their drivers.
You know it is scary because the demographic of folks that typically buy a Tesla should know better! In fact, everyone I know that owns a Tesla–which is pretty much anecdotal–is either a physician or an attorney!
June 21, 2019 at 10:43 am
rob says:
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Autopilot is nothing new for cars, we’ve had cruise control for years. Once on a drive from Kansas City to Omaha, I set the car on cruise control and went in the back seat to take a nap. Woke up a few hours later completely refreshed and still in the middle of freakin’ nowhere…
Products liability… This is why any household cleaners come with very clear instructions on how not to use a product and, if used incorrectly, to “immediately seek medical attention.” You would think that they would make it painstakingly apparent that their vehicles are not fully autonomous. The general public cannot be expected to know the varying levels of vehicle automation (0-5). It is up to the manufacturer to educate them–especially when you are driving a four thousand pound lithium battery down the highway at 70 mph…….
Not only do the warnings appear in the user manual (which I understand >80% of the people don’t read), there’s also a BIG WARNING on the vehicle’s instrument cluster telling drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and be ready to take over from the Autopilot system at any given moment. Besides changing the system’s name, what other type of warning do you expect car manufacturers to do?
Well realistically, since Tesla are on the “cutting edge” of the technology the burden falls on them to educate the consumer. Evidently their instructions are not clear enough because there have been multiple fatalities blamed on Tesla’s autopilot feature. I think Volvo tends to lead by example in the industry–they investigate and track EVERY fatality in a Volvo vehicle which is way above the industry standard. My point is that Tesla has a duty to go above the industry standard because they are the industry leader in autopilot technology.
https://www.businessinsider.com/teslas-autopilot-faces-scrutiny-after-accidents-2018-5
Additionally, Tesla are choosing the term AUTOPILOT. Autopilot in other industries (aviation for example) literally implies “hands off.” No wonder these is mass confusion in the marketplace regarding Tesla’s improperly marketing “autopilot” system.
*Improperly marketed*
I completely agree AUTOPILOT is a horrible name and adds to the confusion, which is why I asked what Tesla could do besides changing that name. I think any reasonable person who takes the time to look at the big flashing warning the car gives saying “STILL PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD YOU DOLT – YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE OVER AT ANY MOMENT!!!!!” realizes the limitations of the system. Those who ignore that will never learn, no matter how much proper marketing Tesla does to try and explain the system. Aside from having the driver hit “accept” to the T&C of Autopilot like we do when we’re online, or making them sign a form when they buy the car, (or again, changing the name of the system), I really don’t see how else Tesla could properly warn their drivers.
You know it is scary because the demographic of folks that typically buy a Tesla should know better! In fact, everyone I know that owns a Tesla–which is pretty much anecdotal–is either a physician or an attorney!
Autopilot is nothing new for cars, we’ve had cruise control for years. Once on a drive from Kansas City to Omaha, I set the car on cruise control and went in the back seat to take a nap. Woke up a few hours later completely refreshed and still in the middle of freakin’ nowhere…
Most monotonous drive in the country is easily I-70 through western Kansas until about half way across Colorado. Same view out the windows forever.