[LINK] itN: 'Third fatal Tesla Autopilot crash ...'

[Stephen Loosley]

“Tesla gives customers more options when using autopilot:”

Drivers can now decide if they want Tesla’s semi-autonomous vehicles to switch lanes on their behalf when in autopilot mode.

The Navigate autopilot software was released last year and helps customers take the right exits at highways and suggests making lane changes. The latter function can now be overridden if drivers hold the steering wheel, brake, or flick the turn-signal stalk on and off, according to Consumer Reports, who test drove a Tesla Model 3.

Tests run by the non-profit publication also found that Navigate performed worse than human drivers when trying to change lanes automatically. Law enforcement representatives who spoke to Consumer Reports said the software cut off other cars without giving them enough space and sped past cars in ways that “violate state laws”.

Drivers often had to step-in to prevent Navigate from potential dangers, the researchers found.

“The system’s role should be to help the driver, but the way this technology is deployed, it’s the other way around,” said Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports’ senior director of auto testing.

“It’s incredibly nearsighted. It doesn’t appear to react to brake lights or turn signals, it can’t anticipate what other drivers will do, and as a result, you constantly have to be one step ahead of it.”

Yikes.

A Tesla spokesperson retaliated and said: “Navigate on Autopilot is based on map data, fleet data, and data from the vehicle’s sensors. However, it is the driver’s responsibility to remain in control of the car at all times, including safely executing lane changes.”

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/05/28/ai_roundup_240519/