Tesla’s new data-invasion policy brings autonomous vehicles even closer

Even though Elon Musk is about as close we can get to a real-life magician working in technology, Tesla is beginning to reveal how their Autopilot tricks are done.

Cars are now “snapchatting”

In Tesla’s latest Autopilot update, they included a new data policy that mentions them collecting “short video clips”. Basically, any Tesla-equipped with Autopilot cameras (i.e. all of them) can collect video data on the surrounding environment.

You see, for Tesla to improve their Autopilot feature and eventually deliver a Stage 5 autonomous vehicle, they need lots of real-world data. Data that analyzes distractions, pedestrians, signs, lane changes, etc…

Unfortunately, they can’t just wave their wand, say “alakazam”, and pull a self-driving car out of their hat.

At first, you’d think this sounds like another invasion of privacy, tracking your drive home. But, they claim the video data is unattached to the specific vehicle – that your car’s VIN (vehicle identification number) isn’t linked to any video data.

Further, the new Autopilot features come equipped with 8 cameras, all-around ultrasonic sensors, and a forward-looking radar. In other words, a lot of street data.

When cars start watching you

Although Tesla has no more than 125,000 cars on the road, as other car manufacturers enter the self-driving arena and make the roads less “humanly”, we have to consider the effects of all these cameras on the road.

You cannot argue that the government collects a lot more data on us through our devices than we think. But, imagine if every single car on the road were self-driving, equipped with 8 cameras a piece.

Basically, at all times, every square inch of a city could be monitored via camera.

Although the algorithms that analyze this data still have a lot to learn, this “second set of eyes” that computer vision will bring to the world is immense.

Monitoring the streets for crime, analyzing the latest street fashion trends, evaluating the busiest foot-traffic areas, etc… are all possibilities when autonomous vehicles furnished with computer vision begin ruling the streets.

The second set of eyes

There’s a fine line between persevering through struggle as a learning experience and finding the right time to ask for help. Especially, when asking for help can feel like a failure.

But, remember that autonomy starts with apprenticeship – some sort of mentor showing you the ropes.

Whether they give you one lesson or a million lessons, finding the right “second set of eyes” should be one of your first goals when starting something new.

Also, this mentor can be an equal that is willing to grow alongside you and learn from each other’s mistakes.

One of the core reasons my weekly technology newsletter, Quick Theories, is so successful is because I found my “equal” to push me further in my role.

Every week, Quick Theories sends out an email with our thoughts on the future of technology – helping you understand and adopt vast changes in your own creative way.

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