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McMuggets
Member
Thanks so much for writing this and everything else in your post. I think we all know that the vast majority of Tesla owners are responsibly using and benefiting from Autopilot. As many owners have posted here on TMC, Autopilot plus an attentive driver is better than a driver without Autopilot. None of us want Autopilot to be disabled, as Elon so eloquently tweeted recently: 0.0% want it disabled -- not 0.1%, 0.0%
GasKilla
No Gas Know Peace
This makes no sense. Who drives from LA to Vegas nonstop? Everyone I know (and myself) makes a pit stop in Barstow. Unless you are partial to wearing adult diapers who drives 4 hours nonstop (assuming no traffic)? Really?I sure would like this on the trip from California to Las Vegas.
However a little more range for that trip would be good so i wouldn't have to stop in Barstow or Primm.
Maybe some day. Wish the X was cheaper with more range.
TaoJones
Beyond Driven
And what a pisser that would be.
Having made the case for 300 miles of minimum practical range (adverse conditions) betweenst 80% and 20% from a 600 mile battery software locked to 500 miles, I'm all for more range.
That said, the range is for long stretches that are marginally served with SCs today and/or to have a buffer in case an SC is down fo (it happens). Under no circumstances should range be confused with, or considered a substitute for bladder capacity.
In fact, a case could be made for a direct relationship between the quantity of bathroom stops and the quality of domestic harmony during an extended road trip. I'm just sayin'... There's some stuff that's not in the manual.
Consumer reports lost their credibility for me back when they recommended against buying an iPhone 4 during "antenna-gate" the only reason it was even brought to their attention was because of it's meme-status. As it turned out, the Phone was absolutely fine. They seem to only do this stuff for high-traffic keywords....remember - they are NOT a consumer protection agency, they are a "non-profit" that has hundreds of millions of dollars in assets. They're no different than any other media publication that wants to give consumers tips, the only difference is they get to not pay taxes, scored a pretty good OFFICIAL-sounding domain name/ trademark, and act self-righteous. How are they any more qualified to give consumers advice than another journalist?!
It's like, "oh, well the almighty CONSUMER REPORTS has said it , thus it must be true" !?
I won't go so far as to say they are malicious, more likely just not informed enough. But this seems to me like an editorial decision from the top, subject to all the biases and errors of human nature. Either way, I doubt it's a coincidence that TSLA is on fire as far as buzz goes, and I don't see them writing about Mercedes autopilot. How many times do they get to be wrong before they lose their non-profit status??? There is no such thing as a lack of bias. Everyone has bias about everything. The men and women of consumer reports are no different - why is their bias any different than anyone else's?!
Anyways, all this is to say, I don't value consumer reports take anymore than anyone else's. I would wager that the kind of people who do are the kinds of people who accept any of the mainstream media's take whether it be fox/CNN / whatever without questioning it.
It's like, "oh, well the almighty CONSUMER REPORTS has said it , thus it must be true" !?
I won't go so far as to say they are malicious, more likely just not informed enough. But this seems to me like an editorial decision from the top, subject to all the biases and errors of human nature. Either way, I doubt it's a coincidence that TSLA is on fire as far as buzz goes, and I don't see them writing about Mercedes autopilot. How many times do they get to be wrong before they lose their non-profit status??? There is no such thing as a lack of bias. Everyone has bias about everything. The men and women of consumer reports are no different - why is their bias any different than anyone else's?!
Anyways, all this is to say, I don't value consumer reports take anymore than anyone else's. I would wager that the kind of people who do are the kinds of people who accept any of the mainstream media's take whether it be fox/CNN / whatever without questioning it.
Breezy
Member
Tesla misused statistics to prove a point. All I've seen in response are articles which point that out.
Elon Musk’s estimate that Tesla Autopilot could save 500,000 lives worldwide doesn’t make sense
Jbailey
Member
"autopilot"....wikipedia so it "has" to be true...but it is referenced. Not a new term. In fact it was the name originally given to this new technology called cruise control in 1958. It's amazing that CR makes anything of it. I guess without advertisers, they need sensationalism to attract readership. I cancelled my subscription.
"Modern cruise control (also known as a speedostat or tempomat) was invented in 1948 by the inventor and mechanical engineer Ralph Teetor.[1] His idea was born out of the frustration of riding in a car driven by his lawyer, who kept speeding up and slowing down as he talked. The first car with Teetor's system was the 1958 Imperial (called "Auto-pilot") using a speed dial on the dashboard."
"Modern cruise control (also known as a speedostat or tempomat) was invented in 1948 by the inventor and mechanical engineer Ralph Teetor.[1] His idea was born out of the frustration of riding in a car driven by his lawyer, who kept speeding up and slowing down as he talked. The first car with Teetor's system was the 1958 Imperial (called "Auto-pilot") using a speed dial on the dashboard."
So if the original moniker for cruise control was "Auto-pilot" then why are the naysayers insisting this means full autonomous self driving rather than just the driving assistance like enhanced cruise control? That said is the term trademarked? Will Chrysler sue Tesla so they can finally have something financially successful in the auto industry besides a mini-van?
I made a similar post on the consumer reports article but it seems to have disappeared and it's showing 0 comments. I'm wondering if they are deleting comments or their system is just not working.
Old Wyseguy
Member
If the people would JUST read the operators manual. There is warning after warning NOT to let go of the steering wheel and to be prepared to take control at any time. It also states Autopilot primary use is open highway and encourages drivers not use autopilot in congested or residential areas. I did not see anywhere in the operators manual stating that it's OK to watch a movie or organize your paperwork for your next appointment.
Jbailey
Member
Seems like someone /Tesla should point out that Autopilot was the original name given to cruise control over half a century (good grief, am I that old?) ago. Apparently no one gave the name a second thought and no one confused it with the word "autonomous"
scottf200
Well-Known Member
Agree, this is very well done and the kind of thing Tesla will likely be doing in the coming weeks.
MichFin
Member
I agree with this post completely and would like to add. When airbags first came out they were killing children. People had to be educated about how to use the new technology and several tweaks were made along the way were made to the airbags. I hope this tragedy can help us all take autopilot more seriously.
Since owning my Model S with AP, I have found my driving habits are much safer. I was a left lane driver, pulling impatient passes when coming up on people driving too slow in the left lane. Since AP, I set my speed and let it do the driving for me, maintaining proper safe distances, etc... I'm calmer, more relaxed, and frankly just enjoy driving more.
As for Consumer Reports, after holding a 20 year subscription, I have cancelled mine because of this ludicrous request to Tesla, and I have written them a letter so they know why they lost a 20 year customer. I encourage current CR subscribers to do the same. Send a message. They should report and act on fact based information, not emotions and feelings.
As for Consumer Reports, after holding a 20 year subscription, I have cancelled mine because of this ludicrous request to Tesla, and I have written them a letter so they know why they lost a 20 year customer. I encourage current CR subscribers to do the same. Send a message. They should report and act on fact based information, not emotions and feelings.
Breezy
Member
One fatality in 130 million miles doesn't prove anything one way or the other. Had Joshua Brown been carrying a passenger, the fatality rate would be worse than the US average. If there's another fatality today, same thing. Tesla should not be comparing this to overall US fleet averages.
I had a thought on AP safety which could be developed and rolled out to existing Models.
1) Create a training program administered by the touch screen that must be completed in full before allowing AP to be enabled. This program can only begin when in Park. It would involve the driver doing several things like:
-Turning on AP with the instrument lever
-responding to a "place hands on wheel" notice
-lane change
Of course the car is not moving and all the different procedures would be sudo/fake in terms of your actions actually controlling the AP during this tutorial. It would also have a lengthy video cautioning the don'ts. At the end of this the driver creates a unique AP password that is not to be given out carelessly (ie. You don't give the AP password to your 16yr old son unless he has gone through the same training app)
2) After above #1 is completed now when your Model is started and you enter your vehicle the touchscreen asks if you plan to use AP during your drive. If so enter the AP password. AP can't be activated unless this happens further insuring people understand.
3) Future Models have a biometric finger reader near ignition to have driver profiles for the car. A driver profile can only have AP enabled if specified by the profile. A requirement would be to go through the training app before allowing that thumbprint to be able to activate AP on the instrument lever.
I completely agree this shouldn't be necessary but from a PR aspect might be a good idea
1) Create a training program administered by the touch screen that must be completed in full before allowing AP to be enabled. This program can only begin when in Park. It would involve the driver doing several things like:
-Turning on AP with the instrument lever
-responding to a "place hands on wheel" notice
-lane change
Of course the car is not moving and all the different procedures would be sudo/fake in terms of your actions actually controlling the AP during this tutorial. It would also have a lengthy video cautioning the don'ts. At the end of this the driver creates a unique AP password that is not to be given out carelessly (ie. You don't give the AP password to your 16yr old son unless he has gone through the same training app)
2) After above #1 is completed now when your Model is started and you enter your vehicle the touchscreen asks if you plan to use AP during your drive. If so enter the AP password. AP can't be activated unless this happens further insuring people understand.
3) Future Models have a biometric finger reader near ignition to have driver profiles for the car. A driver profile can only have AP enabled if specified by the profile. A requirement would be to go through the training app before allowing that thumbprint to be able to activate AP on the instrument lever.
I completely agree this shouldn't be necessary but from a PR aspect might be a good idea
ccutrer
Active Member
You do realize that Teslas don't have an ignition, or even an "on" button? You simply press the brake, and then put the car in gear.
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