Just a few weeks ago (2015), we castigated Mercedes marketers for posting a video ad showing one of their vehicles being driven autonomously with the driver in the back seat working. What really got to us was that the ad featured a baby in the driver’s seat, and facing forward! Our argument was that someone out there would be stupid enough to replicate it. That post is here.
This week, a truly complete moron recorded his Tesla operating in Autopilot on a Dutch highway. And he did the recording from the back with the driver’s seat empty. Hopefully he can be found and arrested.
The idea behind autonomous vehicles is to make roads and driving safer in the belief that computers and sensors will handle emergencies better than humans. We are a long, long way from that utopia.
We have always needed to protect ourselves from bad drivers, but autonomous operation has produced a totally new class of morons operating vehicles. To be clear, Tesla has done nothing to encourage this type of stunt. But we will use this opportunity to once again to call on marketers to stop encouraging this behavior, as recent ads from Mercedes, Nissan and Infiniti have done.
We originally included a link to the video as proof that we didn’t make this, but its been pulled by the publisher. If you are interested to see it, try searching YouTube.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 30+ years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s, ME: MS, RPI, NY
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