The Tesla Crash in Texas Was Not Caused by Autopilot

By Henry Farkas

By now, every Tesla aficionado has heard about the Tesla that crashed in Texas, supposedly while on Autopilot.

The car was thought to be on Autopilot because no one was found in the driver's seat after the battery fire was extinguished. One man was in the front passenger seat, and the other was in a back seat. The article doesn't specify which back seat. The article makes the point that Sandy Munro, an engineer who often comments on Teslas and other electric cars, says that the odds are still in favor of people who use Autopilot since they have fewer accidents than people who don't use it. However, in this case, Autopilot, a standard feature in this Tesla, was not engaged.

Tesla Autopilot crash in Texas

It's not clear how a Tesla with no one in the driver's seat can even move. My Tesla can move without a driver only with smart summon, but that's a feature of FSD (full self-driving). The car that crashed in Texas didn't have FSD. And if it did, the smart summon feature is limited to such slow speeds that this kind of accident couldn't be fatal. Sadly, the accident in Texas was fatal to the two men found in the car. I offer condolences to the family

There's going to be an investigation. Thinking about the situation, I see only two possible causes for this accident. The men were in a Tesla with plain old ordinary Autopilot, not the beta version that most of us are still eagerly awaiting. The one where you get to push a button, promise to keep paying attention to the road and get the advanced version.

But Autopilot wasn't engaged. The article points out that the car failed to negotiate a turn and crashed into a tree. The thing is, no Tesla driver expects Autopilot to properly negotiate a sharp curve or turn a corner properly. It didn't take me very long to figure that out. I knew it by the time I'd driven home from the Tesla store, a ten-minute drive. But, again, Autopilot wasn't engaged. To me that means that either there was a driver who escaped the car after the accident, or, more ominously, the driver thought he had engaged Autopilot, and then climbed into either the front passenger seat or the rear seat while the car was moving. That would have been unwise. It's still puzzling though. If the car is in regenerative mode, it starts to slow down, and then stops, once the foot is no longer depressing the accelerator once Autopilot is no longer engaged. There is a mode where the car keeps rolling along though. Sometimes, Autopilot disengages with an audible alarm, but cruise control keeps the car moving until the brake is tapped. You can't press the brake if you're sitting in the back or in the right front seat.

Plain old ordinary Autopilot doesn't do sharp curves all by itself. But what Autopilot does do is check to see if the driver is exerting some force on the steering wheel every ten seconds or so. If no such force is felt, there's an audible alarm and a visible notation on the touch screen. If that's ignored, Autopilot shuts off and the driver needs to start steering the car. At that point, if the driver isn't paying attention to the road, or isn't even in the driver's seat, the car might well crash into something. Autopilot definitely needs driver intervention at times. There are plenty of videos showing that.

There's one particular YouTube guy who makes excellent videos on the beta version of FSD. He goes by the name of Dirty Tesla. Apparently, that name refers to the fact that he lives on a dirt road, and he doesn't wash his Tesla very often. But he does a great job of making videos of himself letting his Tesla drive itself most of the time, but intervening when necessary. And that's with the beta version of FSD. Even that needs driver intervention occasionally. Go to YouTube and search on DirtyTesla.

Elon Musk has been promising to put a button in the Service section of the menu that will cause the beta version to be downloaded. The problem is, he keeps putting off the time when the button will appear. Musk has said that for those who didn't buy FSD (full self-driving), there will be a subscription to FSD starting in May.

My recommendation on this is that Autopilot without FSD is standard equipment and is probably just fine until the beta version of FSD is available. I don't recommend subscribing to FSD or even buying it, until you can get the beta version. I find it frustrating that I bought FSD last June, and I don't get much benefit from it. So new buyers, vote with your wallet. Don't get FSD until you can get the one that works on local streets and makes sharp turns safely.

Tesla Advances with 5G: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity for Cars and Robotics

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla building 5G private network
Tesla building 5G private network

Tesla appears to be planning an ambitious project to build a private 5G network. This initiative would revolutionize connectivity for its vehicles and the robot, Optimus, as well as any other plans the company is likely to develop in the future.

Innovative Job Posting Reveals Big Plans

Although now removed, a recently spotted job posting for a Cellular Systems Integration Engineer on Tesla's career page shed light on the company's intentions. The role demands expertise to elevate Tesla's vehicle and Optimus robot connectivity, promising to push the boundaries of low latency and high data rates.

Tesla's journey from 3G to the anticipated 5G upgrade will bring about ultra-reliable communication and high-speed data transfer, crucial for over-the-air software updates, autonomous driving features, and real-time data analytics. These communications could be product to product, such as vehicles communicating with each other or with other products such as Optimus. However, the job posting also talks about products being able to communicate with Tesla’s internal 5G network. It’s not clear whether the private network would be internal such as at a Gigafactory, or a broader network out in the world.

Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication
Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication

The Strategic Role of Private 5G Networks

Deploying its private 5G network, Tesla aims to create a seamlessly connected environment in its manufacturing facilities, research labs, and outdoor spaces. This infrastructure is not just about enhancing vehicle connectivity; it's also pivotal for the operational efficiency of the Optimus robot in various scenarios, including warehouse operations.

Tesla's foray into private 5G networking places it in an advantageous position in the automotive and tech industries. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards adopting private 5G networks, which promise to revolutionize industries with their reliability and speed. Tesla's efforts to develop a private 5G protocol stack that integrates with any cellular infrastructure globally will set new industry standards.

With 5G, Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots will benefit from significantly reduced latency, offering under 5 milliseconds compared to the 60-98 milliseconds of 4G networks. This technological advancement is expected to enhance the functionality and responsiveness of Tesla's products, paving the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and efficient robot operations.

Tesla's interest in developing a private 5G network is a logical step. By building an infrastructure that supports the fastest connectivity standards, Tesla is preparing for its vehicles and laying the groundwork for sophisticated robotics applications. This endeavor reflects Tesla's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of transportation and automation.

Tesla Is in Talks To Produce Electric Vans in Italy According to Report

By Kevin Armstrong
Van rendering
Van rendering

Italy has been discussing with Tesla about potentially establishing a factory producing electric trucks and vans. This information came to light in an Italian media outlet, Il Sole 24 Ore, which reported that the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (Mimit) spearheaded talks to secure Tesla's investment.

Tesla and Italy: A Strategic Dialogue

Since last summer, Italy has broadened its industrial horizons by engaging in talks with Tesla, alongside negotiations with prominent Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Great Wall Motors, and Chery Automobile. Notably, the discussions with Tesla have centered around producing electric commercial vehicles, highlighting a departure from conventional car manufacturing and reflecting the evolving demands of the global market.

Under the leadership of Minister Adolfo Urso, Italy aims to invigorate its automotive sector by encouraging the presence of multiple manufacturers. This approach is designed to stabilize the national components sector, which faces challenges due to the shift towards electric vehicles. Italy aims to produce 1.3 million vehicles annually, including a significant contribution from a new yet-to-be-determined manufacturer.

A Geopolitical and Industrial Balancing Act

Italy's engagement with Tesla occurs amidst a delicate phase of negotiations with Stellantis for increased vehicle production within the country. This strategic dialogue with Tesla, alongside discussions with Chinese competitors, is a pivotal element in Italy's industrial and geopolitical maneuvering.

A multipurpose van is the next logical step for Tesla to produce once the less expensive next-gen platform is released (code name Redwood). However, engineers seem to be busy perfecting the next-gen Roadster, and the van has had little discussion. Given the company's leaks, if a van were in the works, you would think we would’ve heard about it. Perhaps this is the nudge Tesla needs to get the van into production.

As Italy endeavors to become a key player in the electric vehicle industry, its negotiations with Tesla signify a promising development. The possibility of Tesla establishing a facility for electric trucks and vans in Italy underscores the country's commitment to sustainable transportation and positions Italy as an attractive destination for automotive innovation.

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