On: Third fatal Tesla Autopilot crash renews questions about system

[miguelmota]

Elon needs to turn it down a notch on marketing the autopilot system as a full self-driving option or he risks becoming seen as the Theranos of automobiles

[alteria → miguelmota]

Tesla PR on this incident: "our data shows that, when used properly by an attentive driver who is prepared to take control at all times, drivers supported by Autopilot are safer than those operating without assistance" [1]

Elon: Let's call it "Autopilot," also "Full self-driving capability is there" [2], and "We already have full-self driving capability on highways" [3]

Tesla's driver assistance software is extremely cool, but the Elon-driven hype is ridiculous, especially when compared to how Tesla PR has to describe it.

[1] https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/05/feds-autopilot-was-acti... [2] https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/30/18204427/tesla-autopilot-... [3] https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-elon-musk-full-self-driving-...

[dtagames → miguelmota]

And of space exploration, transit tunnels, lithium batteries, and solar panels!

[neural_thing → dtagames]

He already is the Theranos of solar panels. Promised a fake product (solar roof) to bailout himself and his family out of a failed company.

[zaroth → neural_thing]

Except that they have actually installed solar roof on a few dozen houses as test cases while they continue to refine their product.

Theranos never had a functioning product, they used tradition equipment secretly behind the scenes.

Is this house secretly using solar panels?

https://youtu.be/zMR10vbo3A0

Tesla wants to iterate on Solar Roof a few more times to increase yield and performance before they install it on 10,000 houses with a Lifetime glass warranty and a 30 year weatherization warranty.

[neural_thing → zaroth]

The value proposition is fake, not the technology. Solar roof tiles have been commercially available since 2005, they are just too expensive.

Musk promised that their roof tiles will be cheaper than regular roofs. I have seen zero evidence of that. The roofs on houses you mention cost WAY more than regular roofs.

[zaroth → neural_thing]

Cheaper than regular slate roofs. Not cheaper than asphalt roofs. Geez.

And that’s before factoring in the energy generation.

It’s always going to be a premium product for people who want solar but also want a roof that looks amazing;

> “The key is to make solar look good,” said Musk at the time. “We want you to call your neighbors over and say, ‘Check out this sweet roof.’”

[unityByFreedom → neural_thing]

Precisely. Musk is a con artist, none of his businesses are or ever will be profitable. He exists to facilitate the flow of money from middle class to the powerful few.

[zaroth → unityByFreedom]

This is just plain libel. SpaceX is profitable. Tesla has been profitable on a quarterly basis.

[Fins → dtagames]

What does he have to do with Panasonic's batteries?

[dtagames → Fins]

Panasonic is a joint owner of the battery plant.

[Fins → dtagames]

But the battery tech is theirs. Tesla does some impressive stuff with cooling and power management, sure, but not batteries themselves.

[notaki → miguelmota]

Terrible analogy given that Tesla has created literally the best automobiles ever, and Theranos created nothing.

[genera1 → notaki]

> literally the best automobiles ever

I'd call that a huge exaggeration.

[zaroth → genera1]

At the Model 3 price point? I own a TM3 and there’s no question in my mind that it’s far and above the best.

That’s my opinion, but factually it is the best selling luxury car in the US.

[Fins → zaroth]

Which, no matter how much you might like it, does not make it anything approaching a luxury car, no matter how Elon tries to spin it.Even Model S doesn't quite cut it as a luxury car, unless you consider a $30K Hyndai a luxury car. But then, Hyundai is much better build...