Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it sold in the U.S., more than 2 million across its model lineup, to fix a defective system that’s supposed to ensure drivers are paying attention when they use Autopilot.
Documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators say the company will send out a software update to fix the problems.
The recall comes after a two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into a series of crashes that happened while the Autopilot partially automated driving system was in use. Some were deadly.
The agency says its investigation found Autopilot’s method of ensuring that drivers are paying attention can be inadequate and can lead to foreseeable misuse of the system.
The word “autopilot” comes from aviation, where it is just a glorified cruise control, too.
Maybe 10 years ago, these days autopilot is more than just auto trim, and many newer boeings can land autonomously. You still need to know how to tell it to land itself though.
That is misleading.
Reminds me of the pilot joke. The pilots’ job is to stay away from the controls so that they don’t disturb the autopilot and crash the plane.
Maybe you just want to fly the plane yourself. Well, good luck pressing “take off,” then “auto pilot,” then “land!"