[SystemSafety] What Tesla says about its autopilot

[Les Chambers]

 I recently had the pleasure of driving a friend’s very expensive Mercedes-Benz. On the freeway 
it maintains a safe distance from the car in front automatically. I was Surprised at  how this 
reduces stress on a long drive. But was also horrified having to wake myself up when we 
approached the offramp. This is a minor issue that we can adapt to over time. I believe that 
eventually we will evolve into self driving but I am against the step change of putting a ‘manual’ 
driver cold turkey into a self driving car. The major automakers will get us there in graduated 
steps, I hope. 
As for Tesla, if the recent article on Tesla’s manufacturing hell in Wired magazine is truthful, 
there could be no chance of having an effective functional safety management  program in that 
company. In the heat of their recent production ramp up anyone opposing Elon Musk gets fired 
in a fit of rage.

> I went to the cinema with my son some time ago to see "Napping Princess", also known as 
"Ancien and the Magic Tablet".  It is a classic fairy tale with King (CEO), Grand Vizier (Executive 
Director), Princess, and, of course, autonomous vehicles.  The film contains a line that may be 
pertinent here, the engineer is talking to one of his Customers and says something like, "At least 
pretend you are driving, or you will get us all arrested"…
> 
> From: systemsafety [mailto:systemsafety-bounces at lists.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de] On Behalf 
Of Peter Bernard Ladkin
> Sent: 04 December 2018 06:18
> To: The System Safety List
> Subject: [SystemSafety] What Tesla says about its autopilot
> 
> A businessman was arrested on DUI after travelling with his Tesla along freeway 101 in the 
South Bay
> (Redwood City and Palo Alto, just north of Silicon Valley) at 70mph on "autopilot".
> https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2018/11/30/los-altos-planning-commissioner-arrested-
for-tesla-dui<https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2018/11/30/los-altos-planning-commissioner-
arrested-for-tesla-dui>
> 
> Apparently Tesla is claiming great things for its technology:
> 
> [begin quote]
> Palo Alto-based Tesla's website states that "all Tesla vehicles produced in our factory, 
including
> Model 3, have the hardware needed for full self-driving capability at a safety level substantially
> greater than that of a human driver."
> [end quote]
> 
> I wonder how they come to that conclusion?
> 
> As the article notes, it is not the first time that someone too inebriated to drive legally has
> climbed into his Tesla and turned on the autopilot. I doubt the safety claim above takes into
> account that people otherwise unable to drive are going to try to do so on "autopilot".
> 
> PBL
> 
> Prof. Peter Bernard Ladkin, Bielefeld, Germany
> MoreInCommon
> Je suis Charlie
> Tel+msg +49 (0)521 880 7319 www.rvs-bi.de<http://www.rvs-bi.de>
> 
> ***************************************************************************
> If you are not the intended recipient, please notify our Help Desk at Email 
information.solutions at nats.co.uk
> immediately. You should not copy or use this email or attachment(s) for any purpose nor 
disclose
> their contents to any other person.
> 
> NATS computer systems may be monitored and communications carried on them recorded, to 
> secure the effective operation of the system.
> 
> Please note that neither NATS nor the sender accepts any responsibility for viruses or any 
losses
> caused as a result of viruses and it is your responsibility to scan or otherwise check this email
> and any attachments.
> 
> NATS means NATS (En Route) plc (company number: 4129273), NATS (Services) Ltd 
> (company number 4129270), NATSNAV Ltd (company number: 4164590) 
> or NATS Ltd (company number 3155567) or NATS Holdings Ltd (company number 4138218). 
> All companies are registered in England and their registered office is at 4000 Parkway, 
> Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7FL.
> 
> ***************************************************************************



--
Les Chambers
les at chambers.com.au
+61 (0)412 648 992