this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2025
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Mark Rober just set up one of the most interesting self-driving tests of 2025, and he did it by imitating Looney Tunes. The former NASA engineer and current YouTube mad scientist recreated the classic gag where Wile E. Coyote paints a tunnel onto a wall to fool the Road Runner.

Only this time, the test subject wasn’t a cartoon bird… it was a self-driving Tesla Model Y.

The result? A full-speed, 40 MPH impact straight into the wall. Watch the video and tell us what you think!

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[–] Etterra@discuss.online 3 points 28 minutes ago
[–] teuto@lemmy.teuto.icu 5 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

According to Ol' Elon the robo-taxi service has been a couple months away since 2017 or so. I can't imagine it's much closer now than then.

[–] DogEarBookmark@reddthat.com 3 points 16 minutes ago

It's right at the end of the tunnel they're diggin in CA

[–] MidsizedSedan@lemmy.world 12 points 3 hours ago (5 children)

All these years, I always thought all self driving cars used LiDAR or something to see in 3D/through fog. How was this allowed on the roads for so long?

[–] Feersummendjinn@feddit.uk 1 points 26 minutes ago

They originally the model S had front facing radar and ultrasonic sensors all round, the car combined the information to corroborate it's visual interpretation.
According to reports years ago the radar saved Tesla's from multiple pileups when it detected crashes multiple cars ahead (that the driver couldn't see).
Elmo in his infinite ego demanded both the radar and ultrasonics be removed, since he could drive with out that input so the car should be able to.. also it is cheaper.

[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 9 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

tesla uses cameras only, i think waymo uses lidar.

[–] dan@upvote.au 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Most non Tesla brands that have some sort of self-driving functionality use lidar and/or radar. I've got a BMW iX and as far as I know it uses cameras, radar, lidar, and ultrasonic sensors.

[–] Breadhax0r@lemmy.world 7 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

I remember reading that tesla only uses cameras for it's self driving. My 2018 Honda uses radar for the adaptive cruise so the technology exists, musk is just an idiot.

[–] SkyezOpen@lemmy.world 4 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Does it? My 2023 model throws a shit fit if it's cold and I assume the camera covers are iced over.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 1 points 1 hour ago

It probably has cameras as well, for lane guidance etc.

My Mazda complains if the windscreen is dirty for the same reason.

[–] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 0 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Radar doesn't detect stopped objects at high speed. It'd hit the wall too on radar alone.

This has to be solved by vision and or lidar.

[–] FiskFisk33@startrek.website 1 points 1 hour ago

they generally do

[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 6 points 2 hours ago
[–] Gammelfisch@lemmy.world 11 points 3 hours ago

Yep, I could see someone placing a billboard like that with a cliff behind it.

[–] blady_blah@lemmy.world 32 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

Honestly all the fails with the kid dummy were a way bigger deal than the wall test. The kid ones will happen a hundred times more than the wall scenario.

Some sort of radar or lidar should 100% be required on autonomous cars.

[–] whome@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 2 hours ago

I think insurances will require that is it comes to self driving at least here in Europe.

[–] Sauerkraut@discuss.tchncs.de 13 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (1 children)

I fully agree, but sadly, investors likely care more about their cars hitting walls than hitting kids. Killing a kid or pedestrian in the US is often a very cheap fine. When my uncle was run over on a sidewalk next to his son, the police ruled it an accident and the city refused to do anything. Same thing happened when my friend was ran over in a bike lane.... So killing humans is probably cheaper than hitting a wall.

[–] shawn1122@lemm.ee 4 points 3 hours ago

Interesting that in the most consumerist nation on earth, objects have more value than people.

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