Are Tesla’s autopilot dangerous?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the May 7 accident after a Model S was on autopilot mode when its cameras failed to differentiate the white side of a truck from a bright sky. It’s important to point out that Tesla is still positive about their autopilot technology and does not consider the accident an indication that their self-driving technology is dangerous.
“This is the first known fatality in just over 130 million miles where Autopilot was activated,” Elon Musk‘s company said in a statement. “Among all vehicles in the US, there is a fatality every 94 million miles.” In addition, the company also noted that they make it clear to drivers that the autopilot function is only to assist the driver and the driver should always keep their hands on the wheel. That’s why the next peice of news is pretty controversial.
Joshua D. Brown, the first person to die in a Tesla autopilot accident, was watching a Harry Potter movie when his car crashed into a tractor-trailer, according to the surviving truck driver.
According to reports, “It was still playing when he died and snapped a telephone pole a quarter mile down the road,” Frank Baressi told the Associated Press.
Reuters reported on Friday that the Florida Highway Patrol said it found an aftermarket DVD player in the wreckage of the Tesla Motors Model S involved in the crash.
“There was a portable DVD player in the vehicle,” said Sergeant Kim Montes. The officer also added there was no camera found, mounted on the dash or of any kind, in the wreckage.
According to Tesla, it is impossible to watch movies on the car’s touchscreen. Baressi also said that he could only hear the movie playing, but didn’t see it.
Via AP
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