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Self-Driving Tesla Owners Share Videos of Reckless Driving (nytimes.com)
An anonymous reader writes: The driver killed in a Tesla car accident "celebrated the Autopilot feature that made it possible for him to cruise the highways, making YouTube videos of himself driving hands-free," reports the New York Times, adding that one of his videos of a near-miss went viral just 11 weeks before his death -- after it was shared on Twitter by Elon Musk. But USA Today reports that Tesla drivers have also filmed themselves playing Jenga and Checkers or sleeping while using the autopilot feature. "Even though Tesla tells drivers to 'keep your hands on the wheel at all times and stay alert,' the temptation to test a no-hands drive is just too much."
In April, a Volvo driver had criticized Tesla for releasing a dangerous "wannabe" Autopilot system. But when Tesla introduced the self-driving feature in October, Elon Musk argued that "Long term, it'll be way better than a person. It never gets tired, never has something to drink, never argues with someone in the car." He had also said that within three years Tesla cars should be able to drive a sleeping driver in to work -- but that that functionality is not currently supported.
In April, a Volvo driver had criticized Tesla for releasing a dangerous "wannabe" Autopilot system. But when Tesla introduced the self-driving feature in October, Elon Musk argued that "Long term, it'll be way better than a person. It never gets tired, never has something to drink, never argues with someone in the car." He had also said that within three years Tesla cars should be able to drive a sleeping driver in to work -- but that that functionality is not currently supported.
Assholes don't know they're assholes. Film at 11. Brought to you by frosty piss!
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
We should make our public transportation better, then we can all just sleep on that on the way to work.
I take the train every day to go to the office, and people often sleep in it. What you describe never happens. the vast majority of people are honest and don't steal from other people. Especially the kind of persons that takes the train at 7:30 in the morning. And even if a thief wanted to steal someone's shoes, many other honest people are in the train watching and prevent the thief from even trying. The train is way better than a car: it goes faster; I can read, sleep, or work; I have a power outlet for my laptop; the journey is much less painful for my back; there is no traffic jam, and it's way cheaper than the car.
How is this autopilot legal? It sounds like one of the most dangerous devices created, inviting distracted driving.
Cell phones are banned in many states for causing distracted driving, how is this not treated the same?