[Mister Dave]

Autopilot Buddy defeats Tesla's safety systems; it is not your friend

An add-on weight dubbed Autopilot Buddy can allow drivers to keep their hands off a Tesla Model S or Model X steering wheel for extended periods of time, and can help to disable warnings that prompt the driver to take back control of the car.

Add one more to the list of stupid people tricks.

Full Story at Green Car Reports.

 

[llninja]

Every Tesla owner who buys one of these could become a Darwin Award candidate

 

[freshcut]

Not to spark a political and consumer rights debate but I feel that any consumer who installs this sort of defeat on their autopilot should automatically be held liable for any damages as a result of accident. Sure, we may feel we should have the freedom to install and operate any piece of hardware or software on our property, but IMO when it is used to defeat safety features that can put others at risk then one should automatically become fully responsible for any resulting actions either intentional or otherwise. This isn't similar to having the ability to jailbreak an iPhone or root an Android device.

 

[Bill Step]

Not to spark a political and consumer rights debate but I feel that any consumer who installs this sort of defeat on their autopilot should automatically be held liable for any damages as a result of accident. Sure, we may feel we should have the freedom to install and operate any piece of hardware or software on our property, but IMO when it is used to defeat safety features that can put others at risk then one should automatically become fully responsible for any resulting actions either intentional or otherwise. This isn't similar to having the ability to jailbreak an iPhone or root an Android device.

agreed,I'd go as far as a little jail time so they can reflect on what an azzhole they are.

 

[obermd]

Since this thing interferes with the operation of the Tesla Autopilot, using it should allow Tesla to invalidate all warranties relating to the Autopilot system. I wonder how long before Tesla figures out how to detect it and sends out a mandatory update to their cars to allow them to detect this system and refuse to engage Autopilot if one is connected, or instruct the Autopilot to put the hazards on and pull to the side of the road and stop the car completely if this device is attached while moving.

 

[Steverino]

I don't think Tesla cares. If they did, they would have added safety capabilities around AutoPilot. Instead, they print a warning in the owner's manual and wash their hands of it. It's always the driver's fault regardless.

Then Tesla show pictures of people "driving" with hands off the wheel.

It's like Ford saying, "Your Pinto gas tank may explode on impact, avoid being rear ended!" and then some idiot takes off the rear bumper exposing the tank even more.

To be sure, not all Tesla drivers are suicidal idiots. Many are undoubtedly using AP with due caution and attentiveness. But promoting hands-free driving where you need to instantly react to an issue by grabbing the wheel and taking control is an accident or death waiting to happen. And has.

 

[scottf200]

I don't think Tesla cares. If they did, they would have added safety capabilities around AutoPilot. Instead, they print a warning in the owner's manual and wash their hands of it. It's always the driver's fault regardless.

This is a blatant lie and misleading. I can't believe how people just talk about this without knowing any details and just make things up.

There have been several software OTA updates around this issue and a very recent one that even had a larger impact. Numerous articles, threads, and discussions on this and what Tesla is doing.

People should do some research and at least attempt to be informed. Here is a start.
https://www.google.com/search?q=elon+twitter+(balance+OR+balancing)+autopilot+nags

 

[llninja]

Since this thing interferes with the operation of the Tesla Autopilot, using it should allow Tesla to invalidate all warranties relating to the Autopilot system. I wonder how long before Tesla figures out how to detect it and sends out a mandatory update to their cars to allow them to detect this system and refuse to engage Autopilot if one is connected, or instruct the Autopilot to put the hazards on and pull to the side of the road and stop the car completely if this device is attached while moving.

Then some idiot will strap sausages to their steering wheel to mimic fingers holding onto the steering wheel

 

[llninja]

It's like Ford saying, "Your Pinto gas tank may explode on impact, avoid being rear ended!" and then some idiot takes off the rear bumper exposing the tank even more.

Ah, fun with exploding Pintos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKQ-U-rnLdo

 

[llninja]

This is a blatant lie and misleading. I can't believe how people just talk about this without knowing any details and just make things up.

There have been several software OTA updates around this issue and a very recent one that even had a larger impact. Numerous articles, threads, and discussions on this and what Tesla is doing.

People should do some research and at least attempt to be informed. Here is a start.
https://www.google.com/search?q=elon+twitter+(balance+OR+balancing)+autopilot+nags

Oooh, a moderator cat fight...this ought to be good.

 

[Mister Dave]

I don't think Tesla cares. If they did, they would have added safety capabilities around AutoPilot. Instead, they print a warning in the owner's manual and wash their hands of it. It's always the driver's fault regardless.

It IS the driver's fault when their car hits anything on public roads. For some reason in certain states, on private property (a store parking lot for example) it can be seen by law enforcement as "no fault". My guess is that they don't want to be doing investigations on door dings so they wash their hands of it.

When you use a driving aid the liability doesn't change. It doesn't matter if you pervert it or not.

I foresee this perversion of AP coming back to bite the seller in the azz. It's one thing to pervert AP and a whole other thing to profit from an aftermarket device with the intent of making it more dangerous than it already is.

Either way I don't like sharing the road with the cognitive dissonant who thinks this is all just a bit of fun.

 

[llninja]

It IS the driver's fault when their car hits anything on public roads. For some reason in certain states, on private property (a store parking lot for example) it can be seen by law enforcement as "no fault". My guess is that they don't want to be doing investigations on door dings so they wash their hands of it.

When you use a driving aid the liability doesn't change. It doesn't matter if you pervert it or not.

I foresee this perversion of AP coming back to bite the seller in the azz. It's one thing to pervert AP and a whole other thing to profit from an aftermarket device with the intent of making it more dangerous than it already is.

Either way I don't like sharing the road with the cognitive dissonant who thinks this is all just a bit of fun.

While living in Chicagoland, a coworkers car was smashed by a snow plow in an apartment parking lot, and the police would not issue a ticket, because it was in an apartment parking lot. She had to go to the police station to fill out a police report to begin the lo process of trying getting the plow company’s insurance company to pay for the damage.

Agreed, the seller of this device will go bankrupt after the first accident involving their defeat device.

 

[Mister Dave]

Agreed, the seller of this device will go bankrupt after the first accident involving their defeat device.

Or the first death. AP can kill without assistance from this company. The idea that anyone would sell a device that increases the odds is mind-blowing.

 

[llninja]

Or the first death. AP can kill without assistance from this company. The idea that anyone would sell a device that increases the odds is mind-blowing.

You’re being too kind. The first accident (death or no death) will bring out the ambulance chasing attorneys.

 

[Mister Dave]

You’re being too kind.

Probably......

 

[Steverino]

The first accident (death or no death) will bring out the ambulance chasing attorneys.

Maybe they have a printed warning in the instruction manual. That way, they can blame the driver...

 

[Mister Dave]

Maybe they have a printed warning in the instruction manual. That way, they can blame the driver...

Of that I'm sure.

 

[llninja]

Maybe they have a printed warning in the instruction manual. That way, they can blame the driver...

Like who reads terms and conditions or owners manuals... I;be never looked at a car owners manual cover to cover until the Volt - when I was waiting the night before pulling the trigger, I downloaded the PDF and poured into it.

 

[Loboc]

There is a less expensive way to crash your Tesla. Go to your kid’s toy box and grab a bag of marbles. Tie the bag to the steering wheel. Add or remove marbles until AP thinks you are holding the wheel.

Cause of accident: Driver lost their marbles. 😜

 

[jcanoe]

If you tamper with Tesla's Autosteering your vehicle is being driven by Sky Pilot.