Introduction
The Tesla autopilot system is a system that uses a front-facing camera, a forward-looking radar, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and GPS to maintain the car on the road. It is not a fully autonomous it does not drive the driver to their particular destination or sense the traffic lights. It simply helps the driver navigate the road more easily and warns them of any oncoming traffic (Zolfagharifard 1). The driver does not drive the car but instead he or she acts as a system operator. The Tesla systems adapt and learn from the mistakes and obstacles from the systems of other vehicles as such the car system keeps improving with continuous use. Once the driver has started the car and steered for a few minutes, the system then takes over and steers mimicking the driver’s mode of steering and using other vehicles around it on the road. It is most effective when it is following a car that is set to its exact cause. It utilizes the sensors that are fitted on the vehicle to keep up its velocity and the safe preset separation at all times. It is even capable of changing lanes automatically (Zolfagharifard 1). As far as automatic cars go it is the most advanced car system, there is which is in line with the targets of the system designers and engineers. There have been numerous improvements in the field of auto-motoring, including parking assist, GPS navigation and electric monitoring of car systems. However, the Tesla technology has managed to create software that combines all these systems (Moldrich 1).
Among the challenges involved in the use of the software is the lack of legal clear legal rules and regulations that govern the use of the vehicles on the road. This makes it difficult for the traffic police to monitor infractions by users. The lack of a legal framework also impedes the implementation of existing traffic laws at the time of the introduction of the software New York was the main city that required the driver to have their hand on the directing hand at all times. At the time of the piloting of the software, some of the users admitted to forgetting to steer their vehicles which left them vulnerable to accidents. They were distracted by the idea of being able to carry out other activities such as work or take videos on the road (Zolfagharifard 1).
As with any other technology, this software is yet to be perfected. There are reported cases of the vehicles on autopilot almost colliding with oncoming traffic. This is especially common when driving on clear roads and suddenly a vehicle appears from the opposite direction the car using the Tesla technology is programmed to follow other cars as such it attempts to follow the oncoming traffic. This could result in serious fatalities (Moldrich 1).
Solutions
The problem of the legal frameworks required to regulate the use of auto-piloted vehicles can be resolved through the dialogue of the manufacturers and the legislators at both the federal and state governments. Such a dialogue is imperative to the creation of comprehensive laws that will govern the use of the vehicles on the roads. Such laws will also provide guidelines and regulations of how the police officials should evaluate the adherence to traffic laws (Zolfagharifard 1). There is also need to have clearly defined rules on the use and application of software. There also needs to be parameters set on how often the software needs to be upgraded and the extent of the manufacturer’s liability in case of accidents or system malfunctions. The law allows that the legislators and those in charge of the transport industry in various states have the authority to declare the removal of any vehicles they deem unfit for their roads from their markets as such the firm executives need to liaise with the regulators to market them or duct as beneficial and unartful for the average road users.
There is a need to refine the software to eliminate the hitches identified during the pilot period. Fixing theses buds will enhance customer experience. Fixing the bugs in the software will open up the use of these vehicles into other applications such as the use of these vehicles for home and office deliveries. To ensure the efficient, effective and safe use of the vehicles, the firm recommends connecting one vehicle with others using the same technology (Moldrich 1). Such communication will allow the car systems to get a better awareness of the road infrastructure. It has been projected that the use of this technology has the potential to revolutionize road safety and road use.
The system also has prompts that notify the driver to steer the vehicles manual in areas where the terrain is difficult for autopilot navigation. In a way, it is similar to the autopilot system used on planes whereby the pilots only operate the planes during takeoff and landing and in areas where the weather makes it difficult for the plane’s radar system to navigate. However, unlike the plane system where all air traffic is monitored from towers in various interconnected airports around the world the cars rely only on their systems (Fleming 4-9). It is necessary for the manufacturers to implement a method where the traffic officers can monitor vehicles and assist
It will also allow the use of these vehicles in military and police operations as well as the delivery of relief to hostile areas.
Analysis
The Tesla model is simply an advanced model of their previous models. Instead, they should have created the car and the design to target the blind and handicapped and refined this deign to cater for the blind. As such, they would have garnered more support from the legislators. This support would have been accompanied by legal frameworks to regulate usage and application of the software (Fleming 4-9).
The company should have anticipated the issues raised on the vulnerability of the software to cyber-attacks, malicious malware and the malfunctions of the system and the likelihood of exposing users to accidents. The launch of new technology brings with new vulnerabilities it is the responsibility of the firm to anticipate, forecast and safeguard against these vulnerabilities (Moldrich 1). This way the introduction will also come with reassurances of safety which will result in a more positive reception of the technology. The company failed to provide these which led to a decline of recommendations and positive ratings after the initial euphoria and excitement wore off. The connection of the vehicle systems to the internet and other vehicles also makes these vehicle potential targets for cyber-attacks where they can be controlled or caused to collide remotely by terrorists (Fleming 4-9). However, the use of this software can be linked to law enforcement systems which will have the mandate and the ability to override the car systems. This will enable them to stop over speeding vehicles. It will also take car chasing to a new level.
There should have been a more extensive testing for the application of the road use of the software, and this would have reduced the consumer complaints about the malfunction and the near accidents that have been witnessed since the launch of the vehicles. It will enable them to remotely access and stop vehicles involved in criminal activities or deactivate and stop stolen cars. This will reduce the crime rate and by extension reduce the insurance premiums.
Work Cited
Fleming, B. "Electric Vehicle Collaboration-Toyota Motor Corporation and Tesla Motors [Automotive Electronics]". IEEE Veh. Technol. Mag. 8.1 (2013): 4-9. Online. Internet. 30 May 2016. .
Moldrich, Curtis. "Tesla Autopilot review: We test Elon Musk’s autonomous tech in the UK". Alphr, 2016. Online. Internet. 30 May 2016. . Available: http://www.alphr.com/tesla/1003022/tesla-autopilot-review-we-test-elon-musk-s-autonomous-tech-in-the-uk.
Zolfagharifard, Ellie. "Footage shows what happens when Tesla autonomous driving goes wrong". Mail Online, 2015. Online. Internet. 30 May 2016. . Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3281562/Tesla-autopilot-fail-videos-emerge-Terrifying-footage-shows-happens-autonomous-driving-goes-wrong.html.
