Survey: Tesla Owners in Germany Aren't Misled by the Term Autopilot
Contradicts claims by German authorities
Recently, the German transport ministry called on Tesla to stop referring to its semi-autonomous driving technology as "Autopilot," claiming the term was misleading. To see whether this claim was true or not, the carmaker hired a third party to survey Tesla owners in Germany about their views on Autopilot. The results? Drivers don't seem to be confused about the name.
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The survey sample only consisted of 675 German Tesla owners, but the results were pretty conclusive. In one part of the survey, the drivers were asked, "Has the name 'Autopilot' caused you to believe that the car is fully autonomous?" Ninety-three percent of respondents answered "no." In another question, drivers were asked whether they understood the need to maintain control of the vehicle at all times while using Autopilot, and a whopping 98 percent of respondents said they understood this prerequisite.
Tesla has defended its use of the term Autopilot by saying it has been used in the aerospace field for decades. "Just as in an airplane, when used properly, Autopilot reduces driver workload and provides an added layer of safety when compared to purely manual driving," a Tesla spokeswoman toldReuterswhen Germany took issue with the name.
But German authorities aren't the only ones criticizing the name "Autopilot." Following a fatal Tesla Model S crash in May, Consumer Reports also said Tesla should stop using the term. Others take issue with the way the system has allegedly been promoted. According to reports, some consumers in China claimed that Tesla sales staff had suggested the car was fully "self-driving." Tesla eventually removed the term "self-driving" from its Chinese website for the Model S, although it said the decision wasn't due to the recent chatter.
Tesla recently announced that all new Tesla vehicles, including the upcoming Model 3, would be equipped with updated Autopilot hardware that will be capable of full Level 5 autonomous driving once regulations allow.
Source: Tesla
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When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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