Tesla's latest Autopilot feature is slowing down for green lights, too..

[r2d2]

@tacobell fan @Drive @jagratha
 

Tesla has said its latest version of Autopilot, its autonomous driving software, is able to stop at traffic lights. But some Tesla drivers are learning it doesn't just stop at red lights, it appears to slow down for green lights, too.

Last Friday, Tesla drivers first reported receiving a software update that included "Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control," which is designed to slowdown and stop the vehicle for visible traffic lights or stop signs.

Tesla (TSLA) describes the software as being in "beta," meaning it's unfinished and still officially in testing. It's designed to gradually improve as the artificial intelligence that powers it learns from the data that's being collected as Tesla cars drive on public roads, according to a notification in Tesla vehicles when the system is first activated.

A visual prompt appears on the dashboardas the car approaches an intersection that reads, "Stopping for traffic control in 300 ft. Use accelerator or cruise stalk to continue." The number of feet in the message appears to change depending on how close the vehicle is to the stop sign or traffic signal.

"This feature will be conservative, slowdown often at first, and will not attempt to turn through intersections," Tesla says in a statement shown in the console screen of Tesla owners' vehicles after the update is installed.

Tesla owners have posted videos and described on social media how the system has begun to slow their cars for greenlights. And in one case, a driver posted a video showing the car slowing to 6 MPH before a green light. 

Slowing when it shouldn't isn't the only problem. Tesla warns Autopilot may not stop the car when it should.

"This feature may not stop for all traffic controls," Tesla cautions in the statement.Drivers are reminded that they must continue to pay attention and be ready to take immediate action.

Missy Cummings, a Duke University professor who studies autonomous systems, cautioned that the feature may lead to traffic crashes, especially as other drivers may not expect a Tesla in front of them to slow at a green light.

 

"There's no upside to this software," Cummings said. "There's a capability being released to the general public that's known to have significant defects."

Cummings said the software raises the question of whether regulators should allow unfinished software to be released to the public. Tesla has made a habit of launching products before they're perfected, with Musk himself tweeting in 2016 that Autopilot's official "Beta" status was to emphasize the software's incomplete status.

 

[Anta Assamey]

[VictoryTDP]

Ekkado parigethalo kaadu aagakoodani chota agadam telisina vaade goppodu