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0 pointshndamien8y ago0 comments

It isn't called full self driving, it is called auto-pilot. In aviation, auto-pilot is a system used to control the trajectory of an aircraft without constant 'hands-on' control by a human operator being required. Autopilots do not replace human operators but assist them in controlling aircraft, allowing them to focus on broader aspects of operations.

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9 comments · 5 top-level

yk8y ago· 2 in thread

Well context is important, the people who operate planes know exactly what autopilot in a specific plane means, the people who operate cars are generally aware that there are cars.

hndamienOP8y ago

Tesla state that autopilot will "match speed to traffic conditions, keep within a lane, automatically change lanes without requiring driver input, transition from one freeway to another, exit the freeway when your destination is near, self-park when near a parking spot and be summoned to and from your garage."

I believe the problem lies in "Enhanced" and "Full self driving hardware". While this is an important point and is probably true, there should probably be bigger warnings that there is currently no full self driving software, and therefore, no full self driving.

greglindahl8y ago

Tesla has a Level 2 system. People who actually use it see more than just the marketing material you've quoted.

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kalleboo8y ago· 2 in thread

The thing is that almost nobody knows what an Autopilot actually does. Even here on Hacker News you see comments to the effect of "why do we still need pilots, planes take off fly and land by themselves!"

jsjohnst8y ago

I do not know of a commercial airline autopilot that does taxi / takeoff.

kalleboo8y ago

That's my point - the public perception (even among a technical crowd) is way off from the reality. People think an "Autopilot" does way more than it actually does.

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madengr8y ago

The Tesla autopilot doesn’t work in the air, either:

https://carbuzz.com/news/teens-take-tesla-model-s-for-joyrid...

ebbv8y ago

This is the same argument people use every time, and that Tesla uses. The general public does not know that. It's an irresponsible name for the system and they know it.

jldugger8y ago

And if Telsa required a pilots license to purchase one of their cars, this argument might hold water.

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