Cars are evolving quickly — but it’s important that people know the difference between ADAS and autonomous driving. It’s also important that both vehicular categories receive a comparable level of due diligence when it comes to ensuring the safety of car occupants and other road users.
And well, we have a problem. Let me explain what’s got me riled up.
This week we’ve seen a clash of the titans between autonomous vehicle industry experts, The New York Times, and Tesla drivers.
It started with a rallying cry against the use of misleading terms like ‘self-driving’ to describe car functionalities that sit firmly in Level 2 in terms of vehicle automation.
A New York Times journalist wrote an article that showed a concerning inability to differentiate between FSD/ADAS and autonomous driving while trying out a Cadillac in Super Cruise mode, which left many people greatly concerned.
Even when a couple of auto academics asked the journalist in question, Farhad Manjoo, (as well as the Opinion Copy Chief), to correct or clarify the Opinion Copy Chief’s response was:
The @nytopinion copy chief responded in part: “In short, although the auto industry may distinguish between advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous or self-driving vehicles, most people do not, and we do not expect them to.” Really, @NYTimes?
— Bryant Walker Smith (@bwalkersmith) February 9, 2022
“In short, although the auto industry may distinguish between advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous or self-driving vehicles, most people do not, and we do not expect them to.”
The ruckus continued on Twitter.
Everyone who walks or bikes should understand that Tesla is risking your life with its “Full-Self Driving” feature.
Like it or not, we’re all part of beta tests being conducted on our public streets — while @NHTSAgov sits on its hands.
A quick 🧵: pic.twitter.com/9z3iifjOKc
— David Zipper (@DavidZipper) February 9, 2022
Also, a video was released this week, where two Tesla owners liken driving to gaming. They film their car at risk of hitting a cyclist, laugh about it, and then the driver says he needs to cut it from the video. Hiding the evidence?
There are huge contrasts between Tesla’s “FSD” and robotaxis, which don’t have a human driver behind the wheel.
Take a look at China’s regulations that allow AVs testing on selected highways and city roads. Driving is restricted to specific zones, and safety is prioritized.
Then, there’s Cruise, which is now offering autonomous commercial services in San Francisco.