Live data from Hacker News

Elon Musk: Tesla cars will have “autopilot mode” by summer

nytimes.com

251–254 of 254 posts

Re: Elon Musk: Tesla cars will have “autopilot mode” by summer

#251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This comes up a lot on various forums. The more technical the crowd the more you hear this kind of thing but it really does bear mentioning that if these engineers could be doing it without these figureheads then really, they should do that. They fact that it's plausible has no bearing on the fact that it is often simply not the case. Why did Apple nearly fail before Jobs return? Why are Tesla and SpaceX a direct res…

The more technical the crowd the more you hear this kind of thing but it really does bear mentioning that if these engineers could be doing it without these figureheads then really, they should do that. This is an oldish thread, but I want to point out that the main reason engineers need figureheads is to attract capital. The second reason is to unify the engineers toward a common goal. I do believe engineers deserve…

You have my apologies for any perceived or actual snark.

I hadn't intended to insult anyone and in terms of derision, I am certainly in no position to be doling it out.

Going back to the comment in question though, it is kind of the crux of the matter as I read it.

There are some posts further up that are very sarcastic about the contributions of these 'figureheads' and my statement to those people stands for itself: if these 'figureheads' are not necessary then do it without them.

I go on to provide very popular examples of where this simply isn't how things work.

Note that I have never even so much as intimated that it couldn't work like that just that it doesn't often seem to.

I will admit that there is perhaps some of my own insecurity slipping in here. As someone with a technical background who now works in a less technical capacity I think I may have taken some of these comments personally and allowed for them to pile onto an already toppling pile of impostor syndrome type thinking.

The fact remains though that to build something you need engineers, you also need architects, you also need someone to bankroll the project. Asserting that one or more of these players are more important that others does seem illogical to me and it would probably take a lot to change that outlook on my part.

Re: Elon Musk: Tesla cars will have “autopilot mode” by summer

#252
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Mr. Musk said in a conference call that the self-driving technology was “technically capable of going from parking lot to parking lot,” meaning through cities as well. But, he said, Tesla will disable the autopilot when cars are not on highways or major roads, citing safety concerns." I think the implication here is that the cars are capable of this but they are taking the smaller step out of legal and liability con…

With a secondary implication that, were the laws updated and the car's hardware "certified safe", they could theoretically just push a software update to enable last-mile autopilot on the car you already own.

My thoughts exactly. Hopefully it's true.

Re: Elon Musk: Tesla cars will have “autopilot mode” by summer

#253
post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the performance point, you're quite right on 0-60 speeds. Electric motors, all-wheel drive, and smart launch control will give you excellent times. On a track, though, where weight and handling matter so much, I wonder what the performance would be. The Tesla Model S (Performance Model) and the Tesla Roadster have essentially the same lap time around Laguna Seca as a humble VW Golf and Ford Focus -- and all four a…

The Model S actually doesn't do well on a track at all. Not because of any weight/handling issues (i'm actually not sure about how it handles), but because of overheating. The electric motors can't dissipate heat that quick, and if the engines are run at "full throttle" for too long it will slow performance significantly to keep from overheating. In reality this means you can't really complete a lap or 2 of most trac…

Ah, you're right. Thanks! Here's a story that describes the problem (and an unsuccessful ice bath attempt):

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/alternative/1404... I coincidentally spoke with a Tesla engineer and explained what had happened. "What you need to do is put the car in something like a big meat locker," he suggested. "Cool it way down first."

Re: Elon Musk: Tesla cars will have “autopilot mode” by summer

#254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Stopped on a shoulder is quite dangerous. Just staying driving seems better.

With an unconscious and unresponsive driver? Are you nuts? EDIT: I have seen cars stopped on shoulders all the time. It may be dangerous compared to a parking lot, but this is an emergency situation. The driver is incapacitated and may need medical attention. I'll add that it should do more then run the hazard lights, it should dial 911. To keep driving means the car will run unattended for 200+ miles until the batte…

Not really an unresponsive driver - more like an unresponsive passenger. I bet a lot of people will fall asleep while being driven around.
Post reply on HN