[Closi]

And we don't expect drivers to be adequately trained and get a licence?

I disagree with calling the top level of Autopilot "FSD" by the way - I think that is misleading. But Autopilot - I think that's a fair term personally considering the context and historical use.

[alistairSH]

And we don't expect drivers to be adequately trained and get a licence?

In the US? No, we don't. Even ignoring that a driver's license is treated more as a right than a perk... Consumers are absolutely NOT trained on the nuances of any particular car's UI, systems, etc.

An airline pilot absolutely IS trained on those nuances and can ONLY operate planes in which they've trained. And they get periodic check-rides from FAA examiners. And, as we saw with the 737Max, failure to train on those nuances can have deadly consequences.

[Closi]

Well again, Autopilot probably is an accurate word then - because consumers should clearly know the limitations and nuances of Autopilot to safely operate it, and a failure to understand those limitations can clearly have deadly consequences.

Is the argument "You can't call it Autopilot because Autopilot refers to a complex system that requires a skilled operator and needs people to pay constant attention"?

[alistairSH]

I don't really care what it's named. I care about the implications of the system in the real world. Humans are notoriously bad at paying attention to boring tasks. This applies to pilots as well as ordinary drivers (thus the massive amount of training, redundant operators, and very details operators manuals/procedures that apply to ATPs). Tesla released a system that encourages people to operate their car with less than 100% focus. That's bad.

I'm not aware of similar reports of crashes/deaths with systems like Subaru's EyeSight or Honda's SensingSuite. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, Mercedes's Drive Pilot.

[Closi]

Fine, we are agreed then.

I’m just talking about the name because that’s what this thread was about.

[newaccount74]

Drivers do not need to get training and a license for driver assistance software.

Pilots need to get training and certification for autopilot before they can use it.

[oblio]

> And we don't expect drivers to be adequately trained and get a licence?

At the level of airline pilots???

This discussion has happened many, many times here on HN. Tesla's marketing is extremely misleading (and it's not the only case).

[Closi]

But what's the broader point here, is it that the word "Autopilot" implies you need care or training?

Because if so, it sounds like Autopilot would be a good word.

I think the term "Full Self Driving" is misleading, but comparing it to an Autopilot (i.e. a system which requires pilot input and care) seems correct.

[semiquaver]

Do the driving licensure requirements in any state require knowing what the capabilities of Tesla Autopilot are?

[Closi]

They don't currently, but they clearly could if they thought that was required.