Tesla's cars can drive themselves starting tomorrow

[TopWargamer]

Source 1: http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/14/9533539/teslas-cars-can-drive-themselves-starting-tomorrow

Source 2: http://www.teslamotors.com/presskit/autopilot

 

The hotly anticipated software version 7.0 for Tesla's Model S is hitting tomorrow, which means that Tesla owners will be able to use Autopilot, which as the name implies, allows your Tesla vehicle to drive itself, kind of. The feature was originally announced a year ago, but Tesla needed time to upgrade every Model S with the necessary sensors and work on the algorithms. Due keep in mind that this is not the same as what Google is doing. Tesla's Autopilot works in a similar way though. 

 

(Demonstration at 00:35.)

Software version 7.0 brings in a few neat tricks. The first of which is called Autosteer, and it allows your Tesla to maintain speed and distance from the car ahead. Musk was careful to call Autosteer a "beta" feature and advises people to keep their hands on the wheel even when Autosteer is enabled. The second feature introduced is Auto Lane Change, which, as the name implies, allows you to switch to the adjacent lane by tapping on your turning signal. The next (and probably most useful) feature is Auto Park, which allows your Tesla to continuously scan for open parking areas. When one is found, the car will park itself. The final feature is called Automatic Emergency Steering and Side Collision Warning, which nudges the car to safety if the senors predict danger. The Autopilot system is composed of four sensor types on the car: forward radar, forward-facing camera, 360-degree ultrasonic sensors, and GPS combined with Tesla's own high resolution map that tracks individual lanes and features of roadways.

 

[Arty]

pish i have been able to drive myself for years, whats the big deal

/s

 

 

I <3 tesla Good work Elon and his team.

[PlayStation 2]

In other news, car bombings have gone up recently...

[Bensemus]

Love how Tesla is able to update cars with new features

[Arty]

Love how Tesla is able to update cars with new features

not all Teslas get this.

only like 2013/2014+

2012 and back don't get

 

 

they new at  apoint they were going to come here and they had the hardware ready.

so they put it in while they started deving software.

[MeltingPoint]

There must really be a lot (there is) of dumb people out there that are too stupid to drive properly that companies are now making self driving cars.

[Curufinwe_wins]

There must really be a lot (there is) of dumb people out there that are too stupid to drive properly that companies are now making self driving cars.

There are...

[rashdanml]

There must really be a lot (there is) of dumb people out there that are too stupid to drive properly that companies are now making self driving cars.

Pretty soon, humanity will be entirely dependent on technology. -sigh-

[XTankSlayerX]

There must really be a lot (there is) of dumb people out there that are too stupid to drive properly that companies are now making self driving cars.

Not at all the point of any of this...

 

Even the best drivers make mistakes. Everyone messes up at some point, you might be the best driver one day and the next day be utter crap.

 

We're all humans, we all make mistakes because we're not computers.

[Rune]

Love it. Go Tesla, though I hope it is more accurate than your rocket landing technology.

[rashdanml]

We're all humans, we all make mistakes because we're not computers.

Computers aren't infallible.

[Bensemus]

not all Teslas get this.

only like 2013/2014+

2012 and back don't get

 

 

they new at  apoint they were going to come here and they had the hardware ready.

so they put it in while they started deving software.

They are giving cars that have been sold an update. That's unheard of for pretty much any other brand. It doesn't really matter if it only goes back a year or two. This is how other car manufactures should approach their cars. (Don't have to be as big as automation features  )

[XTankSlayerX]

Computers aren't infallible.

True, But they're a lot less likely to crash than humans are.

[Bensemus]

Computers aren't infallible.

They are better then the human race. 30,000 die in the US every year to car accidents. Even if the computer can only drive as well as a human it can't get tired, distracted, or drunk. That should already cut down substantially on injuries/deaths.

[Arty]

Not at all the point of any of this...

 

Even the best drivers make mistakes. Everyone messes up at some point, you might be the best driver one day and the next day be utter crap.

 

We're all humans, we all make mistakes because we're not computers.

 

 

There must really be a lot (there is) of dumb people out there that are too stupid to drive properly that companies are now making self driving cars.

its not even the mistakes

 

its also about efficiency

 

if we remove the human element and its irrational decisions.

All the cars can communicate* with each other, which would REDUCE Traffic

and allow for all cars to travel at a HIGHER SPEED 

IF every car was self driving, no need to traffic lights, the cars just decide whats best and runs accordingly at intersections. which would decrease wait times.

 

 

*provided security measures are in place 

[rashdanml]

They are better then the human race. 30,000 die in the US every year to car accidents. Even if the computer can only drive as well as a human it can't get tired, distracted, or drunk. That should already cut down substantially on injuries/deaths.

Factor in the number of computer systems that crash due to software or hardware issues, and you'll see the numbers far outweigh the 30,000.

[farhanorakzai]

I can't wait to get a model s in 6 months

[Bensemus]

Factor in the number of computer systems that crash due to software or hardware issues, and you'll see the numbers far outweigh the 30,000.

You would have to examine closed systems that are system critical. How many times do hospitals, space programs, military... have crashes? You can't compare a self driving car to a piece of software you can install on your computer. 

 

Edit: Another great example is airplanes. They are basically all automated with the ability to land an take off at certain airports.

[Arty]

Factor in the number of computer systems that crash due to software or hardware issues, and you'll see the numbers far outweigh the 30,000.

Google Smart Car has less Crashes on avg then Humans already.

 

Fact is Humans are more prone to errors then computers.

 

 

when was the last time your calculator did math wrong.

prob never.

 

 

 

You would have to examine closed systems that are system critical. How many times do hospitals, space programs, military... have crashes? You can't compare a self driving car to a piece of software you can install on your computer. 

 

This /\^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[PCBjon]

This may be the future but for now it is not the answer we should be promoting better driving skill.

 

Anyone driving for 10+ years should resit their test to prove are they still competent and if you fail you should be made redo your driving test and exams etc.

 

A lot of accidents are caused by stupidity and bad habits new drivers will have good habits until they develop bad ones so by redoing your driving test and passing it will show you are still a competent driver. If you pass it once you can pass it again.

[bcredeur97]

I want to see this system stress tested like what fifth gear did with a few auto braking cars a long time ago.

[XYrZbest]

Imagine people waking up tomorrow, updating their car, and then having the car they've had for perhaps a year or two being able to drive them to work.

[XYrZbest]

Imagine people waking up tomorrow, applying the software update and then having their car drive them to work.

[byalexandr]

I'm just waiting for the nukes to hit Mars.

[BuckGup]

There must really be a lot (there is) of dumb people out there that are too stupid to drive properly that companies are now making self driving cars.

Look at the number of deaths per year by cars. It is massive. Then look at the causes. Most are drunk driving or distracted drivers, texting, eating, talking on the phone you name it. Self driving cars could save you life when Jim is looking at his phone and doesn't see you crossing the street. Thank Elon when those brakes kick in by themselves saving you