[kpao]

Pilot here as well, unfortunately, it's a fight that won't be easy to win. If in the mind of people, Autopilot means self driving. It's going to be hard to change the global perception.

When I'm using the Autopilot, I feel like I'm in my airplane, always on guard, and in a practice of recovery from unusual attitude in flight.

There are a few times also where being an engineer has helped a lot. You can pretty much predict the situations where the car will run into issues and conflicts ahead of time, just by looking at the scenario in front of you.

It's something that the majority of population is not trained to do.

Now having said that, I used to own a BMW X5 with Adaptive Cruise Control, and that car was also doing some pretty stupid things at times, especially when cars in front were moving out of the way. The car would suddenly think the way was clear and floor the accelerator...

[nojvek]

Have a RAV4 2016 SE. Great car, sonars and cameras everywhere but still very stupid driving at times. I don't mind it, because it keeps me alert to take over at moments notice.

I really want to hack the can bus and give it more smarts. What is the legality of that?

[lawpoop]

So what is the benefit of this sort of autopilot? It sounds like it's driving except without going through the motions.

[sjwright]

You are freed from continually making stupid rote inputs to match the speed of the driver in front, allowing you to apportion a bit more focus to the road further ahead.

Further, it makes the bulk of motorway driving less fatiguing. When you're not having to personally intervene to slow down when the driver in front chooses to go a few kays slower than you, it's nowhere near as irritating.

[Tepix]

That's exactly what comma.ai is doing, isn't it?

[foobarian]

Agree with parent. Unfortunately for your profession "Airplane!" the movie ruined the perception. When I read "autopilot" I think robot guy driving airplane without any intervention meaning I can sleep from takeoff to landing.