Tesla Autopilot May Predict Crashes Before They Happen

January 24, 2017

Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Discuss Technology and Car Accidents

Tesla has been a pioneer in the development of new technologies aimed at improving vehicle safety and preventing car accidents. One of these features is Tesla's autopilot mode. Drivers of newer Tesla models have the option of switching on "autopilot" while driving, but are reminded to keep their hands and focus on the wheel. When autopilot is activated, the vehicle has the ability to keep itself in its lane, change lanes if appropriate when the driver taps the turn signal, slow down or speed up as needed, and avoid vehicles and other hazards approaching. The autopilot feature is groundbreaking, but it has not been without flaws. In fact, at least one fatal tragically accident occurred while a Tesla was in autopilot mode.

Now, dash cam footage recently uploaded to Twitter appears to show Tesla's autopilot predicting a crash. The video shows a Tesla vehicle issuing is forward collision warning beep and automatically braking moments before a car up ahead is involved in an accident. The vehicle appears to have detected the car up ahead braking, even when the vehicle in between did not brake.

There are several explanations as to the Tesla's ability to predict the accident. While Tesla's autopilot is not psychic, it does have features that may give it predictive abilities. Tesla autopilot uses radar technology. Radars can not only bounce the signal to the vehicle ahead, but also under the vehicle in front, allowing the it to essentially "see" around the car ahead to predict accidents moments before they occur.

Cars of the Future

As vehicle technologies continue to evolve, a future with self-driving vehicles is no longer hard to imagine. Tesla is just one of several automakers working to herald in the future of fully autonomous cars. Vehicles can now be divided along a scale of capabilities. Vehicles without antilock brakes or electronic stability control are considered a level 0, while cars with those basic driver assists are a 1. Cars with more advanced driver assistance systems, like adaptive cruise control or blind spot monitoring are level 2 vehicles, and most cars are currently in this field. At a level 5, human interaction is entirely not needed for the car to safely navigate.

At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our car accident attorneys are excited for the future. Technology may pave the way for a future with far fewer accidents. The vast majority of all car accidents are caused by human error, which may include driver inattention, driver fatigue, speeding, and the like. By eliminating these causes of accidents, fatalities and serious injuries should severely diminish in frequency. Issues with vehicle and technology malfunctions could then become the leading cause of car accidents. Statistically, these accidents should happen far fewer than human error based accidents.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation Today!

New technologies are moving us towards a car accident free tomorrow. Until we reach that day, anyone injured in a car accident should contact our Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our car accident lawyers are here to help the victims of all manner of accidents. Since 1984, Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, has assisted auto accident and injury victims throughout the State of Georgia and in the Southeast.

No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law

17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
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Category: Auto Accidents