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news
Truck driver says man killed in Tesla Autopilot crash was watching Harry Potter
The truck driver involved in a crash with a Tesla operating in Autopilot mode has said that the man behind the wheel of the car had been watching Harry Potter. Frank Baressi also said of the speed that Joshua Brown had been travelling that, “he went so fast through my trailer I didn’t see him.”
Brown is the first known fatality involving Tesla’s self-driving technology. He was killed when his Tesla Model S collided with a large truck that drove across a junction in front of him.
Baressi told the Associated Press that the Harry Potter film “was still playing when he died and snapped a telephone pole a quarter mile down the road.” He added that he heard the film, but didn’t see it.
The Florida highway patrol confirmed that there was a portable DVD player in the vehicle, but made no comment beyond that.
Autopilot, a feature of Tesla’s Model S and SUV Model X which comprises adaptive cruise control and lane departure assistance, is not intended to be used as driverless technology. When engaged, the car reminds the driver to, “Always keep your hands on the wheel. Be prepared to take over at any time.”
The video above is one of several Brown had uploaded to YouTube demonstrating Tesla’s Autopilot technology.
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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17 comments
If this turns out to be true it's another exmple of risk compenation. When we think we are protected against a risk, we modify our behavior in a way the negates the protection.
We don't learn. Engineering solutions are of no value unless you can manage the behaviour as well.
The most confusing part of all this for me is who do you rage at if you get cut up by a self-driving car? It'll make a great excuse! "not my fault, the car did it" or "the car got annoyed being stuck behind you".
I wonder how accidents involving cars with "autopilots" going to be investigated, especially when it comes to liability. Hopefuly automation isn't going to be used as just another excuse on a already long list.
- Sorry officer but my car hasn't seen this cyclist...
I'd imagine they'll use the shed loads of data that the system will provide. All of which will be much better than human recollection.
Personally I think that manufacturer liability may potentially change things for the better. In the medium term I believe manual controls will remain in automated cars for some time to come, if for nothing more than liability reasons. Automated cars will also keep coming with the caveat that the "driver" must be alert at all times and keep hand on wheel at all times. To this end, we may very well see locomotive-style vigilence systems, where the driver must keep a pedal partially depressed or must press a button every minute for the car to run, plus maybe hand sensors so a hand must be kept on the wheel at all times. Plus we may finally eye tracking technology that the car industry has been talking about for years, where the car will alert the driver if he takes his eyes off the road. And lots and lots of recorded data.
So it's more like:
- Your honour, my client, Tesla Motors, cannot be held liable for this death because the recordings show that the driver has taken his eyes off the road for 0.5 seconds immediately prior to the accident.
Very observant of the truck driver to notice the actual film the Tesla driver was watching. Shame he failed to notice the Tesla.
In all fairness, he was apparently crossing some distance ahead; he didn't just pull out in front of it.
"Caroofus removiosa!"
I like it, and it's funny, but not entirely convinced it's in good taste...
Why exactly is this news on a cycling related website? Am I missing something here?
This isn't cycling related. This is general news.
Autopilot car related news is definitely cycling related. Or you think we won't end up sharing the road with them in the near future?
From jalopnik.com
Tesla’s own literature seems to confirm this blind area, as their Autopark/Autopilot instructions include this:
""Please note that the vehicle may not detect certain obstacles, including those that are very narrow (e.g., bikes), lower than the fascia, or hanging from the ceiling.""
What does it mean for us ?? Does the Tesla see us even less than regular drivers ?
As others have said (below the line on the other article about this), I think the tesla is really aimed at using autopilot on interstates/motorways, which are areas you don't find cyclists. That said, it does still worry me that we might reach a Jaywalking 2.0 moment, where anyone not in a metal box does get banned from the roads because they're confusing the self-drive cars...
Cycling is permitted on some interstates, especially in rural areas where there is no viable alternative route
Is it? OK, didn't know that- thought US interstates were like UK motorways.
It may not detect ir from the rear or front for example because of radar/camera performance at this time. The fatter you are the more chances it sees you!
It will detect on the side though.
I do have experience of the car detecting my bike on the rear side in fact, and weaving away slightly while the driver was trying to block me from passing. Funny stuff. I live in SF.
Funny, US police are usually eager to publicize less relevant details, such as whether cyclists who die on the scene from massive internal injuries after being crushed by multi-tonne vehicles were wearing helmets.