Senior Volvo Engineer Thinks Tesla's Autopilot System Sucks

In a recent interview, the technical leader of crash avoidance at Volvo laid into Autopilot, labelling it "more of an unsupervised wannabe"
Senior Volvo Engineer Thinks Tesla's Autopilot System Sucks

As far as Tesla is concerned, its Autopilot system has been a roaring success. After all, Elon Musk mentioned only recently that it reduces the probability of an accident for its users by a massive 50 per cent. However, not everyone is convinced.

Speaking to The Verge, Volvo’s senior technical leader of crash avoidance Trent Victor was critical of the system, saying that “it gives you the impression that it’s doing more than it is,” adding that Autopilot “is more of an unsupervised wannabe.”

Remote video URL

The danger of this, according to Victor, is that its users are tempted to get on with other things - checking emails, high-fiving passengers etc - despite the fact they’re expected to take back control at a moment’s notice. And if they do need to take back control, crucial time will be lost due to the fact that they’re not prepared.

This is what’s known as a Level 3 autonomous vehicle, but what Volvo prefers is the idea of a Level 4 vehicle. That’s why Volvo’s Drive Me pilot - due to be rolled out in limited public tests next year - fits into the Level 4 description, and will be a safer solution, says Victor. “In our concept, if you don’t take over, if you have fallen asleep or are watching a film, then we will take responsibility still… We won’t just turn [it] off.”

Sponsored Posts

Comments

That car had NO pedestrian safety package installed. Just idiots. Volvo not at fault

04/28/2016 - 12:52 |
27 | 1
Anonymous

U

04/28/2016 - 12:58 |
1 | 1
TDN

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Ahhh, the 21st letter of the English alphabet, we meet again.

04/28/2016 - 13:12 |
51 | 1
DaytonaDP

He says that
But his division can’t even make a working emergency stop system.

04/28/2016 - 13:06 |
12 | 17
Danny Ilikeyouallbutimkeepingmysurnametomyself

In reply to by DaytonaDP

Damnit! Was just about to say that

04/28/2016 - 14:19 |
3 | 2

Sad that you’re only getting down votes because it’s true and people are getting butthurt

04/28/2016 - 15:34 |
4 | 5
Ezra Berg (1994 Buick Roadmaster) (1970 El Camino)

Haters gonna hate. Lol Victor.

04/28/2016 - 13:40 |
23 | 2
Vanos-TEC
04/28/2016 - 13:56 |
1 | 0

Will it Blend?

04/29/2016 - 10:47 |
0 | 0
Sr. Montero

OHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! GET ROASTED!!!!!!

04/28/2016 - 14:00 |
1 | 1
Freddie Skeates
04/28/2016 - 14:46 |
181 | 1
Anonymous

This from the company who when demonstrating their own auto stop the vehicle instead plowed full steam into the back of the test tractor trailer…

04/28/2016 - 15:00 |
81 | 15
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Volvo is a great company

04/28/2016 - 15:39 |
38 | 2
Igor Konuhov

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Also into test people. :D

04/28/2016 - 16:00 |
9 | 1
M A K

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It was a surprise crash test.

04/28/2016 - 17:57 |
3 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Didn’t that system also end up running a salesman over? 😂

04/28/2016 - 19:42 |
5 | 3
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Remember that the crash you’re reffering to was not a system malfunction, some idiot simply forgot to turn it on before the demonstration…

04/28/2016 - 20:46 |
19 | 0
Anonymous

that type r tho

04/28/2016 - 15:07 |
0 | 0
Alex Harrison

He has obviously never been in one

04/28/2016 - 15:51 |
1 | 4

He obviously knows more about it than you do. That’s why he’s Volvo’s senior technical leader of crash avoidance

04/28/2016 - 16:01 |
6 | 0