I think you mean “unlicensed”? Anyway, even licensed drivers, through the current certification system (the test a DOT administers), aren’t going to be trained in how semi-autonomous systems work, they’re just too new. That being the case, Tesla needs to better explain how their systems work and not use words that…

The Model X requires the driver to touch the steering wheel within certain intervals of time, to ensure they’re still alive/awake/paying attention. Other than that, it does not monitor driver interaction.

I believe the Model X would have slowed to a stop eventually, after the driver failed to interact with the system (holding the wheel) at specified intervals, but as far as I know it does not pull over to the side of the road. It would just stop in the middle of the lane.

I’m shocked by that, too.

One has to wonder, though - how sensitive is a given car’s 911 assist?

I’m saying Tesla should take into account that their systems may be used by people who have not had the formal training airplane pilots have. Even licensed drivers do not get trained in these types of semi-autonomous driving systems, so a “you should have read the manual” is not sufficient.

A driver’s license test does not include learning about autonomous systems. People also can and do drive without having a driver’s license.

In that case, we don’t have to. It’s a specialized use where all of the people using “autopilot” in the avionics industry are trained and certified in the systems, and must learn the system limitations before they can use the systems in flight. A similar example could be scientists using the terms “hypothesis” and…

Those products are bad too, then. “Everyone else does it” is not a valid excuse.

You can call your record deal a television show, as long as what’s in the contract is a record deal, it doesn’t fucking matter what you call it.

Not good enough. The car needs to require hands on the wheel more often, because clearly people don’t pay attention and read the instructions. “Blame the user” is the mark of bad design.

That’s my point. The word “Smartphone” means something, and if we suddenly started selling old flip phones under the “smartphone” banner, people would be pissed.

To have a car earlier. People are going to look at the outside and think “Oh, a Model X. That person is awesome!” and not stop to think “I wonder what language the infotainment system is in...”

“Autopilot encompasses lane keep and adaptive cruise control.”

It’s Tesla’s fault for using a word that indicate more functionality than the system has. It’s Tesla’s fault for not doing more to ensure that drivers pay attention and don’t become complacent. It’s Tesla’s fault for letting this beta software on the road and not doing enough to keep the users fully engaged and aware…

Calling their “Adaptive Cruise Control” and “Highway Autosteer” functionality “Autopilot” most certainly is marketing. It’s a marketing and branding term they use, specific to their hardware and software implementation.

Per the technical definition of aviation “autopilot,” you’re right. I understand that.

Not quite what I meant. I think there are plenty of people who think “Autopilot can do almost everything. The pilots are there just in case, but they don’t need to really pay attention all that much” when that just isn’t the case.

Tesla needs to take responsibility for those safety cautions not being clear and prominent enough.

The TL;DR summary is a great step from them, I will admit that. However, what if I enable Autopilot, and I read how it works, then I lend my car to someone? They aren’t going to know those limitations. An always-on reminder would help alleviate that concern.