Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Rumorpile: Tesla's Executives Canned Autopilot Safeguards Due to Costs

      I wonder if Tesla is having a rethink about this

    A new report from the Wall Street Journal reports that engineers at Tesla wanted to put more safeguards for Autopilot to keep drivers attentive to the road, but were rejected by executives.

    This has been concern within Tesla since the launch of Autopilot and only intensified in 2016 when a Model S crashed into a trailer in Florida. The driver was killed and an investigation revealed that Autopilot was on at the time. After the crash, Tesla brought in suppliers to talk about possible ways to keep a driver's attention on the road. Two ideas mentioned in the report included,

    • Tracking the eyes of a driver to make sure they are watching the road. This would use a camera and infrared sensors. Cadillac uses something similar with their SuperCruise system.
    • Incorporating sensors into the steering wheel to monitor whether a driver's hands were on the wheel. Autopilot already has a sensor to monitor small movements of the wheel and will issue a warning to the driver if it doesn't detect any movement. The downside is that the driver can quickly touch the wheel to stop the warnings for a few moments.

    However, the ideas were thrown out by Tesla executives (including CEO Elon Musk) due to costs and concerns that the technologies would be ineffective or annoy drivers.

    “It came down to cost, and Elon was confident we wouldn’t need it,” a source told the Wall Street Journal.

    A key issue with Autopilot is the false sense of confidence that drivers give to it - see the number of near-miss videos on Youtube as evidence. Tesla says in their owner manuals Autopilot has limitations and drivers must agree to a screen when Autopilot has engaged, "that it is their responsibility to stay alert and maintain control." Musk admitted during Tesla's recent earnings call that complacency with Autopilot was an issue.

    “When there is a serious accident, it is almost always, in fact, maybe always the case, that it is an experienced user,” said Musk.

    “And the issue is...more one of complacency, like we get too used to it.”

    Source: Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required)

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    I feel like if Elon wants to talk about how great Tesla's technology is, then it should be the best, it should be better than what is on the S-class or the A8.  And this just sounds like Tesla is more concerned about cost cutting because they are running this company on a shoestring, losing money and selling hats and t-shirts to fund construction work on an assembly line.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Wait...... You mean that Tesla isn't fond of the 'right' way to do things?  Go figger!!  I mean, who would have ever seen this coming! Haha!!

    Edited by Miradart
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • I do not think that this current administration will respect such a thing to happen.  To let a blue wave in the house exist.  I hope I am wrong.  I sadly agree to this... That is why I compassionately keep on posting political shyte.  Not just for our little community in here that posts stuff, but for the silent lurkers that read.  Another venue to read that is not misinformation.  Another venue to get the courage to fight for your country.  
    • The F35 is falsely called a 5th gen fighter.  It is suppose to be a 5th gen fighter. And it will be soon enough.  But there are many 5th gen features missing from it.  Not the stealth stuff but some radar technology on it  that was mentioned in the video is missing.  Even for the US Air Force.  Lots of engineering delays and mishaps...    Making the F35 slightly better than 4.5 but not quite 5th gen.  The Rafale is a 4.5 gen fighter from France.  Is capabilities mirror those of an F-16.  The Viper version.  But better.  The Rafale is a newer fighter and has quite the radar capabilities but not stealth tech.  Making it a 4.5 gen.   The USAF has phased out the F16 for its fleet, but there are many nations that continue buying it and flying it.  But those same nations also have bought the Rafale and use the F16 Viper and Rafale tandemly.  Truth be told, the F16 Viper version in certain combat situations is better than the F35.  Its in the communications and fighting alongside in tandem with other military weapons where the F35 shines and the other 4.5 gen fighters lack.  The Eurofighter is a 4.5 gen fighter.  Very capable.  In some cases batter than the Rafale and F16 Viper and in some cases on par.   The SAAB J39 is a 4rth gen fighter.  But the way the video explains how the F35 will be using drones to do combat, this is a fairly new way of doing air warfare and the Ukraine war accelerated the tactics.  But the Swedes that engineered the SAAB J39 have had that type of warfare in mind and the J39 is equipped radar and communications wise to do battle this very way already.  Yeah...like the F35 is supposed to do. To do battle in tandem with other military weapons on the ground, in the air or at sea.  In tandem.   So the J39 has that capability...   Seeing that all nations in Europe have been threatened by Trump in one way or other, all 3 fighters could be used jointly to do a better job than what an F35 could be used for.   And when the other nations, including Canada, will refuse to buy the F35, lots of billions of dollars lost. Not counting the billions of dollars of developmental monies already poured into the f35 program.  But those monies have been deduced from the books already I suppose.  I could get slapped with another face palm emogi or a negative one, the shytes about to get real for you guys... Wake the phoque up!!!     
    • A blue wave in the House is nearly certain and will go a long way to halting the current wave of shenanigans. The midterms are 13 months away and given how many decades have passed since Jan 20, 2025, I'm not convinced we'll even make it.  A blue senate is unlikely. There aren't enough flippable red seats to take.  Maybe a longshot like Andy Bashir taking out McConnell.... but I think he's gonna run for Prez.
    • Yes, very sunny, very dry.  And winter is either a dusting of snow or 2+ feet.  Then more sun.  
    • Yes ... dry area, too.  For one, the evergreens look very different from the ones in the PacNW.  
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search