This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37676858
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Tesla told to dump Autopilot brand in Germany | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Tesla has been told to drop the Autopilot brand name, which it uses to promote its driver-assistance software, in Germany. | |
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) confirmed it had told Tesla to scrap the "misleading" term. | The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) confirmed it had told Tesla to scrap the "misleading" term. |
It said the term gave customers "incorrect expectations" that they could stop concentrating on the road and let Autopilot take over completely. | It said the term gave customers "incorrect expectations" that they could stop concentrating on the road and let Autopilot take over completely. |
Tesla said it had always told drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. | Tesla said it had always told drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. |
The Autopilot software helps cars: | The Autopilot software helps cars: |
However, Tesla has been clear that the feature should only be used on the motorway, and drivers must still pay full attention to the road. | However, Tesla has been clear that the feature should only be used on the motorway, and drivers must still pay full attention to the road. |
The firm has been under scrutiny after one of its vehicles running Autopilot crashed, killing the owner. | The firm has been under scrutiny after one of its vehicles running Autopilot crashed, killing the owner. |
"It can be confirmed that a letter to Tesla exists with the request to no longer use the misleading term Autopilot for the driver-assistance system of the car," a KBA spokeswoman told news agency Reuters. | "It can be confirmed that a letter to Tesla exists with the request to no longer use the misleading term Autopilot for the driver-assistance system of the car," a KBA spokeswoman told news agency Reuters. |
According to the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, the letter to Tesla said: "We demand that the misleading term Autopilot is no longer used in advertising the system." | |
In a statement, Tesla said the term autopilot had been used in aviation for decades. | In a statement, Tesla said the term autopilot had been used in aviation for decades. |
"Tesla's Autopilot operates in conjunction with the human driver to make driving safer and less stressful. This is how the term has been used for decades in aerospace: to denote a support system that operates under the direct supervision of a human pilot," the company said. | "Tesla's Autopilot operates in conjunction with the human driver to make driving safer and less stressful. This is how the term has been used for decades in aerospace: to denote a support system that operates under the direct supervision of a human pilot," the company said. |
"We have always been clear with our customers that Autopilot is a drivers assistance system that requires the driver to pay attention at all times. | "We have always been clear with our customers that Autopilot is a drivers assistance system that requires the driver to pay attention at all times. |
"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." | "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." |
The company's co-founder Elon Musk had been expected to make an announcement related to Tesla on Monday, but he has now tweeted that it has been delayed until Wednesday for "refinement". | The company's co-founder Elon Musk had been expected to make an announcement related to Tesla on Monday, but he has now tweeted that it has been delayed until Wednesday for "refinement". |
Previous version
1
Next version