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Tesla’s Autopilot Faces the Wile E. Coyote Test

Can Tesla’s self-driving technology handle the unexpected? A recent experiment put Autopilot to the test, with surprising results.

We all know that self-driving cars are meant to handle the unexpected, reacting safely to any situation. But how do they fare against the truly absurd? Think Wile E. Coyote level of absurd!

YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober decided to find out. In his latest video, “Can You Fool A Self Driving Car?”, Rober compared Tesla’s vision-based Autopilot system against another autonomous system using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors. The challenge? A series of tests culminating in a Looney Tunes-inspired trap: a realistic road painted on a wall.

Spoiler alert: the Tesla didn’t exactly ace the test. Autopilot plowed straight through the wall at 40 mph, leaving a cartoonishly large hole. Ouch!

This was just one of several tests Rober conducted. He also evaluated how the systems handled adverse conditions, such as a dummy child obscured by fog and heavy rain. While Autopilot stopped for the stationary dummy, a dummy running out, and one hidden by bright lights, it failed in fog and heavy rain.

In contrast, the LiDAR-equipped system succeeded every time. While Rober’s video subtly promotes LiDAR technology, the results highlight a key difference in approach. Tesla famously eschews LiDAR, favoring a computer vision-only system. Elon Musk has even called LiDAR a “fool’s errand,” citing cost and data processing concerns.

But as Rober’s experiment demonstrates, computer vision isn’t perfect. Is the cost savings worth the potential safety risks? It’s a question that Tesla and its drivers must consider.

Ultimately, Rober’s video is highly entertaining and sparked debate online. Some Tesla enthusiasts even accused Rober of being biased towards LiDAR – adding another layer of intrigue to the discussion.

Keywords: Tesla, Autopilot, self-driving, LiDAR, Mark Rober, autonomous vehicles, safety, computer vision, Elon Musk

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Ngoc Vy

Ngoc Vy is a tech journalist specializing in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and their societal impact. She combines technical rigor with on-the-ground coverage of Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, from AI ethics debates to gov-tech adoption. Ngoc Vy is also passionate about bridging the gender gap in STEM journalism.