We learned yesterday evening that NHTSA is opening a preliminary evaluation into the performance of Autopilot during a recent fatal crash that occurred in a Model S. This is the first known fatality in just over 130 million miles where Autopilot was activated. Among all vehicles in the US, there is a fatality every 94 million miles. Worldwide, there is a fatality approximately every 60 million miles. It is important to emphasize that the NHTSA action is simply a preliminary evaluation to determine whether the system worked according to expectations.

Following our standard practice, Tesla informed NHTSA about the incident immediately after it occurred. What we know is that the vehicle was on a divided highway with Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S. Had the Model S impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, its advanced crash safety system would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents.

It is important to note that Tesla disables Autopilot by default and requires explicit acknowledgement that the system is new technology and still in a public beta phase before it can be enabled. When drivers activate Autopilot, the acknowledgment box explains, among other things, that Autopilot “is an assist feature that requires you to keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times,” and that “you need to maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle” while using it. Additionally, every time that Autopilot is engaged, the car reminds the driver to “Always keep your hands on the wheel. Be prepared to take over at any time.” The system also makes frequent checks to ensure that the driver’s hands remain on the wheel and provides visual and audible alerts if hands-on is not detected. It then gradually slows down the car until hands-on is detected again.

We do this to ensure that every time the feature is used, it is used as safely as possible. As more real-world miles accumulate and the software logic accounts for increasingly rare events, the probability of injury will keep decreasing. Autopilot is getting better all the time, but it is not perfect and still requires the driver to remain alert. Nonetheless, when used in conjunction with driver oversight, the data is unequivocal that Autopilot reduces driver workload and results in a statistically significant improvement in safety when compared to purely manual driving.
The customer who died in this crash had a loving family and we are beyond saddened by their loss. He was a friend to Tesla and the broader EV community, a person who spent his life focused on innovation and the promise of technology and who believed strongly in Tesla’s mission. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Source

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Self-driving cars hit UK roads: Driverless vehicles could have ‘BOOZE-CRUISE control’ for drunk motorists in future

Created with shoppers, commuters and the elderly in mind, the Lutz Pathfinder is the UK’s first fully autonomous vehicle, revealed today in Greenwich, London, on the very same day that the UK will begin to allow driverless testing on public roads.

According to The Telegraph, this little pint-sized auto has 22 different sensors including panoramic cameras, laser imaging, and radar. The Pathfinder can drive within a 60km distance and can run for eight hours at a time. The car’s top speed is only 24km/h, meaning Google’s 40km/h top-speed would definitely beat the Pathfinder in the most unexciting car race of all time.

But more importantly, the Lutz continues a growing trend with the autonomous car future — it’s really freaking cute. I mean look at it. It’s like the most adorable little glorified golf cart you’ve ever seen. And then, of course, you have Google’s own vehicle:

The UK Government set out its roadmap for the technology in driverless cars will develop over time

Google launched its prototype for a two-seater self-driving car (above) and the three trials launched by the British government will determine whether vehicles like it will be allowed to share public roads with motorists

The Meridian driverless vehicle, above, will be the first to be tested on the streets of Greenwich in London

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Novelist James Patterson is taking reading to a whole other level. The suspense author has found an exciting way to add an interactive twist to the reading experience by placing a self-destructing timer on the book.

Once their 24 hours are up, the novel is digitally destroyed.

As cool as this game seems, there’s actually one lucky reader that will receive a special copy of the book for £194,000 ($294,038 USD).

According to the Daily Telegraph: “A special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team will also be on hand to handle the explosive thriller.”

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Reddit user Brittani Austin created this incredible sculpture she calls “Serpent of the Self.” When someone thinks about paper mache they usually don’t picture art like this but what she’s crafted is truly a masterpiece.

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The celebrity-filled selfie on a Samsung phone was the Twitter star of Oscar night. Ellen DeGeneres never mentioned Samsung, a major Oscars advertiser, but appeared to use the company’s Galaxy Note 3 for the selfie, which was actually taken by Bradley Cooper. Ellen’s tweet has received almost 3 million retweets and nearly 1.6 million favorites.

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20-year-old Rachel Baran creates surreal and amazing self portraits.

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Hot girls’ self shots.

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Cute girls in mirror self shots.

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This one is actually good. A guy from Ukraine has built his own Lamborghini out of an old Mitsubishi.

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