Germany says Tesla should not use 'Autopilot' in advertising

Oct 18, 2016, 00:33
Germany says Tesla should not use 'Autopilot' in advertising

Given the last concerns, the Federal Motor Transport Authority of Germany has sent a letter to Tesla to ask the company to stop making publicity and promoting the Autopilot function, since it can lead to misunderstanding among costumers who might think they are safe while using the function, and that while the auto is on autopilot it doesn't require the attention of the driver.

Government officials in Germany asked Tesla to stop using "Autopilot" in advertising for its Model S and Model X all-electric vehicles, according to Reuters.

A German agency has warned Tesla owners to pay constant attention while using the Autopilot system when driving.

The Federal Motor Transport Authority in Germany have written to Tesla and asked them to stop using the "Autopilot" feature in their advertising. Autopilot is the name given to promote the company's driver-assistance software, with the KBA calling the term "misleading" and leading customers to have 'incorrect expectations'.

The postponement of the announcement follows an order from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) for Tesla to drop its Autopilot brand name. That report also criticized the company's use of the term "Autopilot" to describe a driver assistance technology.

A Tesla logo adorns a "Model S" vehicle in the dealership in Berlin, Germany, November 18, 2015. It is a term that has been used in aerospace for decades, she added.

A Tesla spokesperson told Ars: "Tesla's autopilot operates in conjunction with the human driver to make driving safer and less stressful".

It's still not clear what Tesla is planning to unveil, though the rumour mill isn't short of suggestions which range from a new auto design, to new technology integration, to an update of the existing Autopilot technology.

Tesla is taking steps to improve the situation, last month launching an update that prevents Autopilot from taking over if the driver has a habit of constantly removing their hands from the steering wheel, Endgadget reports. The organization further advised under the country's road traffic rules, that it is a must for the driver to always maintain control of the vehicle whether the Autopilot program has been enabled or not.

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