Virginia authorities have determined that a Tesla was operating on its Autopilot system and was speeding in the moments leading to a crash with a crossing tractor-trailer last July that killed the Tesla driver. The death of Pablo Teodoro III, 57, is the third since 2016 in which a Tesla that was using Autopilot ran underneath a crossing tractor-trailer, raising questions about the partially automated system's safety and where it should be allowed to operate. The crash south of Washington remains under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sent investigators to Virginia last summer and began a broader probe of Autopilot more than two years ago.

Virginia sheriff’s office says Tesla was running on Autopilot moments before tractor-trailer crash::Virginia authorities have determined that a Tesla was operating on its Autopilot system and was speeding in the moments leading to a crash with a crossing tractor-trailer last July that killed the Tesla driver. The death of Pablo Teodoro III, 57, is the third since 2016 in which a Tesla that was using Autopilot ran underneath a crossing tractor-trailer, raising questions about the partially automated system’s safety and where it should be allowed to operate. The crash south of Washington remains under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sent investigators to Virginia last summer and began a broader probe of Autopilot more than two years ago.

  • ToineEnglish
    71·
    11 months ago

    It also checks periodically that you’re in control of the wheel, or else will disengage.

    Disengaging autopilot when it detects you are not in control of the wheel sounds a bit dangerous.

    • Riven@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      4·
      11 months ago

      Honda has lane assist and adaptive cruise control. It also disengage both of them if it doesn’t detect driver feedback after a while.

      I tested it when alone on a long straight empty freeway out of curiosity for anyone wondering. I did have my hands hovering the wheel ready tk take control just in case but otherwise didn’t touch it after I engaged both systems.

      Did a couple tests and it disengaged them every time after a little while.

    • BearOfaTime@lemm.eeEnglish
      21·
      11 months ago

      It alerts you. You’d have to be asleep to not get the alerts.

      In cars with adaptive cruise, lane keeping, etc, it’ll beep and flash on the dash if you’re not steering enough (I have a car that complains all the time because I don’t grip the wheel like an ape).

      Some will shake the wheel too. Or slow the car down if you don’t respond.