Rise of the Machines: TESLA CARS BECOME AUTONOMOUS OVERNIGHT

[2MuchMark]

Holy Moly Wow wow wow!

Tesla Cars Become Autonomous Overnight | Popular Science

TESLA CARS BECOME AUTONOMOUS OVERNIGHT

The Rise of the Machines has begun?fittingly, via an overnight wireless global ?awakening."
That?s right, owners of Tesla Model S and Model X electric vehicles woke up today to cars suddenly empowered to drive themselves down the road. The company?s software update?Tesla Version 7.0, installed via WiFi?includes its new Autopilot technology, which imparts a degree of autonomy to the sleek, high-tech cars. Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the update via conference call yesterday, stressing that it was still in beta and that drivers will not be able to completely disengage themselves from the act of driving. "Because the software is still at an early stage, it's important people exercise caution," Musk said. "In the long term, drivers will not need to keep their hands on the wheel. Eventually there won't be wheels or pedals."
The system uses a suite of sensors installed in cars built beginning in September 2014, including a forward radar, a forward-looking camera, 12 long-range ultrasonic sensors, and braking and steering controls. Coupled with the car?s GPS, the hardware now permits the cars to steer within lanes, change lanes on command?via a tap of the turn signal?and modulate speed relative to vehicles in front of it, including braking to a full stop and automatically re-accelerating. Tesla already has one of the smoothest, most capable automatic cruise control systems on the road, and this enhancement promises a big reduction in driver workload?if not the actual ability to pick up a newspaper and just check out while your car chauffeurs you to the office.

It should be noted, of course, that other manufacturers currently have systems that are very close to Tesla?s autopilot. Mercedes, Acura, Volvo, and Audi can all manage steering down the highway and automatic braking and acceleration, via their lane-centering technology and adaptive cruise control. Driving the most recent Acuras in cruise control require nothing more than keeping light pressure on the wheel. If you let go for more than a few seconds, it will flash an alert and eventually deactivate. Tesla?s system works similarly?if not driver engagement is detected, it will flash an alert and eventually slow to a stop and activate the hazard lights.

Driving is all about managing treacherous, millisecond-long transitions, which we humanoids tend to do automatically.

But unlike the systems from other carmakers, Teslas will now be able to change lanes on their own, first detecting whether there?s room to do so safely. Just flick the stalk, and the car will wait until the opportunity arrives before hopping over. The cars can also now automatically park themselves, scanning for available spots and alerting the driver to a good fit. Again, just flick the switch, and you?re in.

Another distinction from other semi-autonomous systems is that the cars will collect data about their use, to refine and enhance the systems. That?s critical, because the real challenge for autonomous vehicles won?t be in the basics?cruising down the road and changing lanes on their own?but in the margins, the moments where the systems are challenged or stymied. This can occur with unclear lane markings, inclement weather, or dicey lane changes. What happens, for instance, if your lane is sitting still but the cars next to you are racing by and you want to shoot over? Will the car engage Ludicrous Mode acceleration to rocket you into the next lane, or sit there forever waiting for a gaping hole? Driving is all about managing those treacherous, millisecond-long transitions, which we humanoids tend to do automatically?including appropriately second-guessing ourselves midway through a move, or reacting to other drivers who are similarly tentative, or overzealous.

It will be fun to watch this progression toward seamless interactions between man and machine. Tesla just nudged us a little bit closer to that future.

[j3rkules]

CNET just launched a video showing the autopilot in Model S https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4BGlQoASyo

[pimpmaster9000]

2-3 million driving jobs in the uSA going going gone soon

[EonBlue]

Yay, automated toys for the rich!

And when one of these "autonomous" cars kills someone who gets sued - the disengaged "driver" or Tesla?



.

[SilentKnight]

While I applaud Musk's efforts in this direction - I'm old enough to still remember the Star Trek episode where Kirk was replaced by a computer - and it didn't go well.

Yeah, I know...silly fiction compared to reality. But I'm still not totally confident in technology's ability to completely eliminate the human factor. Yes, a lot of people shouldn't be behind the wheel - but I'm not ready to place all my trust in a pile of circuits to get the job done flawlessly.

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

2-3 million driving jobs in the uSA going going gone soon

Why do you single out the U.S. in your assertion?

[Seth Manson]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Why do you single out the U.S. in your assertion?

Because he's a loser
from Serbia!

[Struggle4Bucks]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Why do you single out the U.S. in your assertion?

because serbs don't have money for tesla... so... no driving jobs lost there...

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by EonBlue

Yay, automated toys for the rich!

And when one of these "autonomous" cars kills someone who gets sued - the disengaged "driver" or Tesla?
.

Theoretically, if more cars become autonomous, it should result in less accidents and casualties. For this reason alone, I'm all for smart cars. I still want to drive as its lots of fun, but having my car save my life if I make an idiotic mistake sounds like a good idea to me.

Plus, how cool would it be to walk out of a fancy restaurant with a babe on your arm, and ask Siri on your Iwatch to summon your Tesla from the parking lot and have it pull up and pick you up? Ultimate cool.

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

While I applaud Musk's efforts in this direction - I'm old enough to still remember the Star Trek episode where Kirk was replaced by a computer - and it didn't go well.

That's because the M-5's Multitronic brain was based on a crazy Dr. Richard Daystrom's engram. Crazy Elon Musk would never do that.... ;)

[EddyTheDog]

The first time a driverless taxi turns up at my door I will get in - It will feel more like a rollercoaster ride though I think...

I cant imagine ever getting used to it.....

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

2-3 million driving jobs in the uSA going going gone soon

you are really irritating with these comments.

[MiamiBoyz]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

While I applaud Musk's efforts in this direction - I'm old enough to still remember the Star Trek episode where Kirk was replaced by a computer - and it didn't go well.

Yeah, I know...silly fiction compared to reality. But I'm still not totally confident in technology's ability to completely eliminate the human factor. Yes, a lot of people shouldn't be behind the wheel - but I'm not ready to place all my trust in a pile of circuits to get the job done flawlessly.

I look froward to the day when machines totally ELIMINATE humans actually!

It will be a glorious day for the earth and mankind will have finally fulfilled its ultimate point of existence by being eliminated after perfecting AI and being replaced by it!

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by MiamiBoyz

I look froward to the day when machines totally ELIMINATE humans actually!

It will be a glorious day for the earth and mankind will have finally fulfilled its ultimate point of existence by being eliminated after perfecting AI and being replaced by it!

[arock10]

Originally Posted by EddyTheDog

The first time a driverless taxi turns up at my door I will get in - It will feel more like a rollercoaster ride though I think...

I cant imagine ever getting used to it.....

Taxis kind of feel like roller coaster rides already

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by EddyTheDog

The first time a driverless taxi turns up at my door I will get in - It will feel more like a rollercoaster ride though I think...

I cant imagine ever getting used to it.....

It'll probably smell a helluva lot better without curry.

[georgeyw]

Not really autonomous...you have to sit in the drivers seat, stop for lights, keep hands near the wheel *just in case*

Not really what you wish it was Prince...

[klinton]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

[clickity click]

Pretty sure it will get hacked.

[fuzebox]

I feel like a person sitting in the drivers seat with their hands dangling on the wheel and feet on the floor, putting their vehicle in autonomous mode, are actually more dangerous drivers than average.

[XMaster]

that's impressive.

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by georgeyw

Not really autonomous...you have to sit in the drivers seat, stop for lights, keep hands near the wheel *just in case*

Not really what you wish it was Prince...

[Tumblr]

Hope Tesla hires people much more

[j3rkules]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

It'll probably smell a helluva lot better without curry.

Loved the movie.

[SilentKnight]

The day I let a circuit board drive my car - is the day I turn in my man card.

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by jerkules

Loved the movie.

Yes, and was hoping for a part two,but it never happened. Kate Beckinsale saved remake

[MetaMan]

Cant we just ban women, asians and old people from driving instead?

[EddyTheDog]

Originally Posted by MetaMan

Cant we just ban women, asians and old people from driving instead?

I would like to nominate orthodox jews for the list - They are a menace...

[JFK]

Originally Posted by EddyTheDog

The first time a driverless taxi turns up at my door I will get in - It will feel more like a rollercoaster ride though I think...

I cant imagine ever getting used to it.....

Its only the begining !