Tesla To Change 'AutoPilot': Germany's Federal Motor Authority Asks To Change The Misleading Title

Although Tesla has done some major changes in its new Autopilot 8.0, there are still issues left to be taken care of. Before the fatal accident that claimed a life, Consumer Reports had asked Tesla to change the system's name 'Autopilot' to something else as the term is highly misleading. Now, the issue is on the surface again as Tesla didn't make the change they were expected to.

According to EnGadget, Germany's Federal Motor Authority recently sent letters to Tesla customers informing them that the 'Autopilot' feature does not mean driver replacement. Now, if the report from Reuters is to be believed, the German government has told Tesla to completely stop using the term 'autopilot' in its advertising as people totally misinterpret its purpose.

Consumer Reports says Tesla still has work to do. https://t.co/AqFkE7KgFl

— Green Car Reports (@GreenCarReports) October 15, 2016

Not An 'AutoPilot' Yet?

Well, just to be clear Tesla 'AutoPilot' is not a totally autonomous Driver. All it offers is a ride assistance system. Tesla spokesperson made it clear earlier that 'autopilot' term is used in the aerospace industry since decades for pilots' assistance systems. The company has maintained from the very beginning of the Autopilot that drivers have to pay attention to the road, whether they're using the assistance system or not. It's clear, however, why the German authorities are so concerned about as Tesla is obviously leaping forth in the Total Autonomous Driver Technology. In a statement given last year, Elon Musk had made it clear that his company was aiming to develop autonomous cars by the end of 2018.

Most misleading branding ever? Tesla Autopilot wasn't created so cars could drive themselves https://t.co/4VpHJoMI2f — Peter Marx (@pietromarx) July 17, 2016

Why the fuss with the new Update?

There are some people who don't follow technological advances as closely as us, and it's perfectly acceptable and understandable. The new Total Autonomous Driver Technology could definitely get these people a little confused. The new Autopilot 8.0 now checks up on the driver in a much shorter period than it earlier used to. The visual notification has been made more noticeable in the new AutoPilot.

Teslas autonomous system can steer the cars keeping them running at a steady speed. It can also change lanes automatically. The Autopilot 8.0 now features even a better decisive capability about the roads: If the road markings disappear or the road is very twisty, the Autopilot does not activate.

Domestic Authorities are keeping a close look over Tesla's new Autopilot Update. California's Department of Motor Vehicles released a draft regulation earlier in September that prohibits Companies from advertising cars that can self-drive.