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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[–] Sorgan71@lemmy.world 8 points 2 hours ago

They should just program it to drive through the painted tunnel but when another driver comes behind you they crash into it.

[–] Etterra@discuss.online 12 points 3 hours ago
[–] teuto@lemmy.teuto.icu 16 points 4 hours 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 6 points 3 hours ago

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

[–] MidsizedSedan@lemmy.world 22 points 5 hours ago (6 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 12 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Ronno@feddit.nl 6 points 2 hours ago

Exactly, my previous car (BMW) once saved me in the fog by emergency braking for something I wasn't able to see yet. My current car (Tesla) shuts down almost all safety features when the camera's can't see anything, so I doubt it will help me in such situations. The only time my Tesla works well is in perfect conditions, but I don't live in California.

[–] TheYang@lemmy.world 3 points 2 hours ago

They do.

But "all self driving cars" are practically only from waymo.
Level 4 Autonomy is the point at which it's not required that a human can intercede at any moment, and as such has to be actively paying attention and be sober.
Tesla is not there yet.

On the other hand, this is an active attack against the technology.
Mirrors or any super-absorber (possibly vantablack or similar) would fuck up LIDAR. Which is a good reason for diversifying the Sensors.

On the other hand I can understand Tesla going "Humans use visible light only, in principle that has to be sufficient for a self driving car as well", because, in principle I agree. In practice... well, while this seems much more click-bait than an actual issue for a self-driving taxi, diversifying your Input chain makes a lot of sense in my book. On the other hand, if it would cost me 20k more down the road, and Cameras would reach the same safety, I'd be a bit pissed.

[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 14 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

tesla uses cameras only, i think waymo uses lidar.

[–] dan@upvote.au 5 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours 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 13 points 5 hours ago (3 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 3 points 5 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 3 points 4 hours ago

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

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

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[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 6 points 5 hours ago
[–] FiskFisk33@startrek.website 1 points 4 hours ago

they generally do

[–] Gammelfisch@lemmy.world 12 points 6 hours ago

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

[–] blady_blah@lemmy.world 38 points 9 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 7 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] DogEarBookmark@reddthat.com 3 points 2 hours ago

EU leading the world in consumer protection laws yet again

[–] Sauerkraut@discuss.tchncs.de 15 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 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 8 points 6 hours ago

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

[–] RalphWolf@lemmy.ca -1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Who the hell is Wyle E. Coyote?

[–] XTL@sopuli.xyz 2 points 30 minutes ago

A victim of American spelling?

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