Tesla Autopilot Naming

Discussions center on whether Tesla's 'Autopilot' is a misleading name for its driver assistance feature, as it implies greater autonomy than provided, compared to 'Full Self-Driving' (FSD), with debates on marketing, expectations, and aviation analogies.

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Keywords

AI FSD IMO OK RNA CEO USA AP GM www.te autopilot self driving driving tesla self cruise fsd pilot driver feature

Sample Comments

Robotbeat Apr 11, 2018 View on HN

It's called autopilot, not self-driving.

amelius Jul 27, 2021 View on HN

This is what Tesla's Autopilot should be called.

cypress66 Dec 30, 2022 View on HN

How is it in the context of self driving, if autopilot is not self driving?

simondotau Dec 29, 2022 View on HN

Autopilot is not advertised as self driving.

joering2 Apr 11, 2018 View on HN

Autopilot means it will pilot itself.. automatically.Tesla is using "guidance assistant". Huge difference.Their terminology is either very confusing at the best, or bluntly deceiving at the worst.

dzhiurgis Apr 29, 2024 View on HN

We're talking Autopilot, not FSD

admax88q Apr 6, 2018 View on HN

They shouldn't market it as "autopilot"

hypertele-Xii Sep 2, 2021 View on HN

Maybe because every other car manufacturer calls it "cruise control" and not "full self driving autopilot"?

eptcyka Aug 4, 2025 View on HN

Autopilot, not autosteer. Wording here is important.

nafizh Mar 19, 2018 View on HN

Tesla Autopilot != Self-driving(full autonomy)