Why Today’s “AutoPilot” Is a Waste of Time and Money

Tesla just had its first AI day, and it left a lot to be desired. That isn’t to say the technology is not impressive. On the contrary, their AI and data gathering systems look top-notch and are something to be lauded. The problem I have with it and the same problem others have, what does it allow the driver to do instead, and who is ultimately responsible for the vehicle?

Tesla, GM, and all auto manufacturers with self-driving assistants are either Level 1 or Level 2 autonomous driving. Someone somewhere came up with this handy level system to categorize self-driving tools. The levels are:

Level 0 – No Driving Automation – The driver is entirely in charge of driving the vehicle. The car may have a forward-collision warning or even automatic emergency braking, but the technology will only offer alerts or momentary action in specific situations.

Level 1 – Driver Assistance – The level offers one support system like steering assistance OR braking and acceleration assistance. This level is the first step in automation, and the driver is still responsible for the vehicle and must be ready to take control at any time.

Level 2 – Partial Driving Automation – Combining steering assistance and braking/acceleration assistance into some form of an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), this level has near-autonomous driving. Level 2 is where TESLA and GM are, and the reason for that is the driver. Level 2 requires the driver to be attentive to the road and ready to take over from the ADAS at a moment’s notice.

Level 3 – Conditional Driving Automation – Similar to Level 2, Level 3 combines multiple driving systems and AI to drive the vehicle. The most significant difference at Level 3, the driver can engage in other activities. The driver will still need to be present, alert, and able to take control, but this is the first level that does not require a driver’s active attention. Level 3 is where Tesla’s “AutoPilot” could be called AutoPilot.

Levels 4 and 5 – High Driving and Full Driving Automation – The car can drive itself, and you could take a nap or do whatever—the ultimate goal of all of these autonomous driving programs.

So why are Tesla and others’ self-driving tools a waste of time? At Level 2, you are still actively driving the vehicle. Your hands should be on the steering wheel, and your feet should be by the pedals, ready to take over. Just watch Tesla’s video below. The driver is actively prepared to take over for the vehicle. It would be less stressful for me to drive than sit and wait for a moment I need to take over.

Those of you who read the Level descriptions of autonomous driving could argue that Tesla has achieved Level 3 autonomation. I would say that their branding of AutoPilot and the technology they just showcased is a compelling point. The problem is liability.

Tesla will not declare their full self-driving Level 3 because the driver would no longer be responsible for crashes that occurred while AutoPilot was engaged. Suddenly, Tesla would have to foot the bill of liabilities from accidents from their vehicles. I doubt we will see any automaker release a Level 3 system. I don’t expect there ever to be a Level 3 and automakers to skip straight to Level 4 or Level 5. I don’t know how many years that will take, but I don’t expect to see it in the 2020s.

So my opinion of self-driving as of today?

Jason Torchinsky from Jalopnik summed it up best by saying,

“It would be like if Tesla designed a humanoid dishwashing robot that worked fundamentally differently than the dishwashing robots many of us have tucked under our kitchen counters.

The Tesla Dishwasher would stand over the sink, like a human, washing dishes with human-like hands, but for safety reasons you would have to stand behind it, your hands lightly holding the robot’s hands, like a pair of young lovers in their first apartment.

Normally, the robot does the job just fine, but there’s a chance it could get confused and fling a dish at a wall or person, so for safety you need to be watching it, and have your hands on the robot’s at all times.

If you don’t, it beeps a warning, and then stops, mid-wash.

Would you want a dishwasher like that? You’re not really washing the dishes yourself, sure, but you’re also not not washing them, either. That’s what (Tesla’s) full self-driving is.”

I will be the first to admit I am excited about where this technology could take us but it isn’t there yet. The people who use Tesla’s AutoPilot like it is Level 3 are risking their own lives and those around them. If Elon Musk was serious about reaching Level 3, 4, or 5 safely he wouldn’t be allowing his customers to beta test a system in a manner it was not designed.

Let me know what you think about driver-assist tools and the AutoPilot? Would you trust it?

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