Sad news of a death using Tesla autopilot

Quote:

The autopilot sensors on the Model S failed to distinguish a white tractor-trailer crossing the highway against a bright sky

There was an interesting comment on this on this morning's Today programme on Radio 4. An "expert" on robotics was interviewed who had evaluated the Tesla system and reckoned that there were two problems with it. Tesla uses both cameras and ultrasonic sensors. He reckoned that the Tesla ultrasonic sensors (think parking proximity sensors) have numerous blind spots and none of them has any vertical capability, only horizontal. He considered that it was possible that as the Tesla is a relatively low car the trailer may not have been detected by the sensors. I'm not sure about the following - in Europe all trailers on articulated trucks have side intrusion barriers under the chassis and anti - submarine bars/ under-ride prevention barriers across the rear, these are not often seen on what the Americans call a tractor and trailer unit, so is it a problem that would not exist over here as the barriers are at bonnet level for most cars here and in Europe? Whatever happened it is very sad and may well be a setback for autonomous cars. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Last edited by Tim in Scotland on Fri Jul 01 2016 8:21am. Edited 3 times in total

Since the DS came out people have been discussing if Autonomous Emergency Braking works following some nr misses that drivers avoided

We've been told the forward alert doesn't work as it needs acc which wasn't fitted

AEB only needs the cameras so does work apparently but nobody has witnessed the warning light or vehicle intervention Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

More info here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36680043 Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!