Whoops  :o




US driver killed while Tesla electric car on ‘autopilot’ mode



US auto-safety regulators are investigating Tesla Motors’ autopilot feature after a motorist using the system died in Florida, ratcheting up scrutiny on the electric vehicle maker and on the auto industry’s race to develop driverless cars.

Tesla alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the crash nearly two months ago, shortly after a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front a Tesla Model S sedan that had the autopilot feature deployed, according to a statement from the agency overnight (AEST).

Tesla said the technology — designed to conduct some of the critical functions traditionally left to drivers — didn’t automatically brake because the truck couldn’t be detected given certain conditions. The accident was mentioned in a police blotter in the Levy County Journal.

Joshua Brown, a 40-year-old Ohio owner of a Tesla Model S, died when his electric car drove under the trailer of an 18-wheel semi during a trip on a highway in Williston, Florida, according to the police blotter report and public records. The driver of the truck, Frank Baressi, said that the Tesla was moving at a high speed and didn’t hit the brakes.

In a statement, Tesla said that the vehicle was on a divided highway with autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. “Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake wasn’t applied,” Tesla said. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer hitting the windshield of the Model S.


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/us-driver-killed-while-tesla-electric-car-on-autopilot-mode/news-story/4054800cb8e2b2975ccfa04e92bfc744

Teething problems.

I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it.

Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area.

What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way.

Ajax wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 10:55am:

I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way.

Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 11:07am:

Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake.

Anything automated and left to computers is best left to stable and repetitive environments where the function gets repeated every x number of cycles in a certain time frame.

Road conditions are rarely repetitive or stable.

Ajax wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 11:23am:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:07am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake. Anything automated and left to computers is best left to stable and repetitive environments where the function gets repeated every x number of cycles in a certain time frame. Road conditions are rarely repetitive or stable.

So in other words, no automatic gearboxes, no computer chipping of the engine, no stability control, no ABS, no traction control etc.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 11:25am:

Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:23am: Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:07am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake. Anything automated and left to computers is best left to stable and repetitive environments where the function gets repeated every x number of cycles in a certain time frame. Road conditions are rarely repetitive or stable. So in other words, no automatic gearboxes, no computer chipping of the engine, no stability control, no ABS, no traction control etc.

I covered that in my answer, where critical thinking is required then computers are just not up to scratch imo.

Ajax wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 11:27am:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:25am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:23am: Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:07am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake. Anything automated and left to computers is best left to stable and repetitive environments where the function gets repeated every x number of cycles in a certain time frame. Road conditions are rarely repetitive or stable. So in other words, no automatic gearboxes, no computer chipping of the engine, no stability control, no ABS, no traction control etc. I covered that in my answer, where critical thinking is required then computers are just not up to scratch imo.

Most humans cant do it either.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 11:29am:

Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:27am: Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:25am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:23am: Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:07am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake. Anything automated and left to computers is best left to stable and repetitive environments where the function gets repeated every x number of cycles in a certain time frame. Road conditions are rarely repetitive or stable. So in other words, no automatic gearboxes, no computer chipping of the engine, no stability control, no ABS, no traction control etc. I covered that in my answer, where critical thinking is required then computers are just not up to scratch imo. Most humans cant do it either.

LOL you have a point there but its just not for me (auto pilot).... ;D

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 11:07am:

Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake.

The problem is they do automatically steer. You simply click it on and the car takes you down the highway by itself.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 11:25am:

Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:23am: Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:07am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake. Anything automated and left to computers is best left to stable and repetitive environments where the function gets repeated every x number of cycles in a certain time frame. Road conditions are rarely repetitive or stable. So in other words, no automatic gearboxes, no computer chipping of the engine, no stability control, no ABS, no traction control etc.

Auto boxes are there to make the drivers life easier (and these days to actually increase performance) . Electric control of the engine is for performance reasons. The other 3 only kick in when the driver has lost control. Most of the time they do nothing.

These autopilots don't just make the driving easier, they literally do the driving. The person behind the wheel (Can't really call them the driver) can sit there reading a book or go to sleep for the amount of good they are doing, as the car just steers and stops itself.

It is one thing to have ABS as a safety backup for when the driver makes a mistake when braking, but to rely on the car to drive itself is a completely different type of automation. 

Quantum wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 12:58pm:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 11:07am: Ajax wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:55am: I don't use the automatic parking feature on my car, cause I just don't trust it. Not that I have this feature but there is no way I'm going to let auto pilot drive me down the free way or even in a built up area. What if the driver in front brakes hard and your auto pilot to avoid a collision jumps on the footpath and collects a few pedestrians along the way. Umm, generally they dont automatically steer, they only automatically brake. The problem is they do automatically steer. You simply click it on and the car takes you down the highway by itself.

No but they aren;t going to steer off into a crowded building off the road, just because you're having a crash

Too complicated. Computers are not the answer to everything.

Damn those Stealth trucks.....

innocentbystander. wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 9:45am:

Whoops  :o US driver killed while Tesla electric car on ‘autopilot’ mode US auto-safety regulators are investigating Tesla Motors’ autopilot feature after a motorist using the system died in Florida, ratcheting up scrutiny on the electric vehicle maker and on the auto industry’s race to develop driverless cars. Tesla alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the crash nearly two months ago, shortly after a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front a Tesla Model S sedan that had the autopilot feature deployed, according to a statement from the agency overnight (AEST). Tesla said the technology — designed to conduct some of the critical functions traditionally left to drivers — didn’t automatically brake because the truck couldn’t be detected given certain conditions. The accident was mentioned in a police blotter in the Levy County Journal. Joshua Brown, a 40-year-old Ohio owner of a Tesla Model S, died when his electric car drove under the trailer of an 18-wheel semi during a trip on a highway in Williston, Florida, according to the police blotter report and public records. The driver of the truck, Frank Baressi, said that the Tesla was moving at a high speed and didn’t hit the brakes. In a statement, Tesla said that the vehicle was on a divided highway with autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. “Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake wasn’t applied,” Tesla said. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer hitting the windshield of the Model S. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/us-driver-killed-while-tesla-electric-car-on-autopilot-mode/news-story/4054800cb8e2b2975ccfa04e92bfc744

Looks like it would have happened anyway.

Setanta wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 10:38pm:

innocentbystander. wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 9:45am: Whoops  :o US driver killed while Tesla electric car on ‘autopilot’ mode US auto-safety regulators are investigating Tesla Motors’ autopilot feature after a motorist using the system died in Florida, ratcheting up scrutiny on the electric vehicle maker and on the auto industry’s race to develop driverless cars. Tesla alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the crash nearly two months ago, shortly after a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front a Tesla Model S sedan that had the autopilot feature deployed, according to a statement from the agency overnight (AEST). Tesla said the technology — designed to conduct some of the critical functions traditionally left to drivers — didn’t automatically brake because the truck couldn’t be detected given certain conditions. The accident was mentioned in a police blotter in the Levy County Journal. Joshua Brown, a 40-year-old Ohio owner of a Tesla Model S, died when his electric car drove under the trailer of an 18-wheel semi during a trip on a highway in Williston, Florida, according to the police blotter report and public records. The driver of the truck, Frank Baressi, said that the Tesla was moving at a high speed and didn’t hit the brakes. In a statement, Tesla said that the vehicle was on a divided highway with autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. “Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake wasn’t applied,” Tesla said. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer hitting the windshield of the Model S. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/us-driver-killed-while-tesla-electric-car-on-autopilot-mode/news-story/4054800cb8e2b2975ccfa04e92bfc744 Looks like it would have happened anyway.

But the driver wasn't driving the car. He could have been sending a message on his phone, something that he wouldn't be doing (hopefully wouldn't) if he was actually driving the car.

This is a case of trusting a computer to do the task fully for you when the computer wasn't up to the task. Unless the driver was actively monitoring the situation to make sure the computer wasn't making an error then it is impossible to say that a human would not have seen a truck in front of it.

Quantum wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2016 at 12:03am:

Setanta wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 10:38pm: innocentbystander. wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 9:45am: Whoops  :o US driver killed while Tesla electric car on ‘autopilot’ mode US auto-safety regulators are investigating Tesla Motors’ autopilot feature after a motorist using the system died in Florida, ratcheting up scrutiny on the electric vehicle maker and on the auto industry’s race to develop driverless cars. Tesla alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the crash nearly two months ago, shortly after a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front a Tesla Model S sedan that had the autopilot feature deployed, according to a statement from the agency overnight (AEST). Tesla said the technology — designed to conduct some of the critical functions traditionally left to drivers — didn’t automatically brake because the truck couldn’t be detected given certain conditions. The accident was mentioned in a police blotter in the Levy County Journal. Joshua Brown, a 40-year-old Ohio owner of a Tesla Model S, died when his electric car drove under the trailer of an 18-wheel semi during a trip on a highway in Williston, Florida, according to the police blotter report and public records. The driver of the truck, Frank Baressi, said that the Tesla was moving at a high speed and didn’t hit the brakes. In a statement, Tesla said that the vehicle was on a divided highway with autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. “Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake wasn’t applied,” Tesla said. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer hitting the windshield of the Model S. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/us-driver-killed-while-tesla-electric-car-on-autopilot-mode/news-story/4054800cb8e2b2975ccfa04e92bfc744 Looks like it would have happened anyway. But the driver wasn't driving the car. He could have been sending a message on his phone, something that he wouldn't be doing (hopefully wouldn't) if he was actually driving the car. This is a case of trusting a computer to do the task fully for you when the computer wasn't up to the task. Unless the driver was actively monitoring the situation to make sure the computer wasn't making an error then it is impossible to say that a human would not have seen a truck in front of it.

Point taken. Looks like it could have happened anyway.

Law require ships at sea to maintain a watch whether they are on autopilot or not. People are going to use driverless cars so they can dick around on their smart phones. No problem, until half the traffic and the pedestrians are doing it too. Technology for technology's sake.

As Ajax has stated the highway/road environment has too many variables for any fully automated function of a motor vehicle to safely operate.

All vehicles would have to be operating under the same conditions.

There is no way in the world that I would use or trust an autopilot system on a motor car.

And I think the bloke who got killed in the US was an idiot for using it.

I bet he was an accident waiting to happen anyway.

issuevoter wrote on Jul 1^st, 2016 at 9:58pm:

Too complicated. Computers are not the answer to everything.

Im surprised rusty nail hasn't come on here and accused you of being a libbo, house hording luddite for such blasphemy.  ;D ;D ;D

If you're going to watch "Harry Potter" whilst the car drives itself, you may as well shoot yourself in the head. These "auto-pilot" features are not meant to replace the driver's attention.

How do we know what the driver noticed? He was probably watching the truck wondering when the autopilot would kick in.

BigOl64 wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2016 at 8:09am:

issuevoter wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 9:58pm: Too complicated. Computers are not the answer to everything. Im surprised rusty nail hasn't come on here and accused you of being a libbo, house hording luddite for such blasphemy.  ;D ;D ;D

why would I do that f..kface ?

Gnads wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2016 at 7:37am:

As Ajax has stated the highway/road environment has too many variables for any fully automated function of a motor vehicle to safely operate. All vehicles would have to be operating under the same conditions. There is no way in the world that I would use or trust an autopilot system on a motor car. And I think the bloke who got killed in the US was an idiot for using it. I bet he was an accident waiting to happen anyway.

When you can go for a sleep in the back seat of the car and the car gets you from A to B without ending up in hospital then you know the technology is ready but I don't believe this will be the case for a long time to come. There are too many issues that the technology has to deal with but eventually they will get it right. Probably when all cars can communicate with each other over a common network then this will help considerably.

Sir lastnail wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2016 at 10:32am:

BigOl64 wrote on Jul 2nd, 2016 at 8:09am: issuevoter wrote on Jul 1st, 2016 at 9:58pm: Too complicated. Computers are not the answer to everything. Im surprised rusty nail hasn't come on here and accused you of being a libbo, house hording luddite for such blasphemy.  ;D ;D ;D why would I do that f..kface ?

That is your 'go to' reply for everyone who doesn't race headlong into unproven technology.

That and extreme personal abuse

freediver wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2016 at 10:21am:

How do we know what the driver noticed? He was probably watching the truck wondering when the autopilot would kick in.

I thought that too, except that if he were watching it, wouldn't he have at the very least ducked just prior to impact?

Have you checked the brain splatter pattern?

As we are Hell "Bent" on driverless cars, they will require enforced servicing certification something like aircraft. Driverless old-bangers will not allowed on the road. Just the same, people will take them out on the road illegally. Its a future the automotive industry and lawyers will love. Enforced replacement, and court cases. Japan already gives cars a short life span, and then ships their cast-offs to us.

I was thinking that there is no way I would take my eyes of the road even if the car was driving itself but I guess eventually you would get complacent after a while.

Could it be a fair assumption that as the semi-trailer pulled out ... the sensors of the car read the free space under the trailer between prime mover and rear trailer wheels?

It continued on ....... to become a convertible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKOA5v-0N-0

BREAKING EX Navy Seal 6 dies in Autonomous Driver less Telsa Auto Pilot Vehicle July 2016

Wonder how long it will be before a driverless car kills an innocent motorist or pedestrian.

I will be interested to see how opinions develop when two driverless cars collide.

freediver wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2016 at 10:21am:

How do we know what the driver noticed? He was probably watching the truck wondering when the autopilot would kick in.

Since the feature is assisting only, that would be a very, very stupid thing to do. It isn't a fully autonomous system, nor was designed to be.

That said, at least we learn something from this, most accidents teach us nothing.