Tesla fails ‘Roadrunner’ test in viral video

A comical video experiment intended to test the capability of Tesla’s AI has exposed a huge flaw in the system.

A viral video experiment has exposed flaws in Tesla’s camera-based “Autopilot” driver assistance system.

American YouTube presenter Mark Rober published a video examining the difference between camera and laser – or LIDAR – based driver assistance features in cars.

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Tesla failed a 'Roadrunner' test in a YouTube video. Picture: YouTube/Mark Rober

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is a famous proponent of camera-based technology, believing that if visual processing is good enough for human eyes and minds to process their environment, then it can also work for cars.

But other companies ranging from Volvo to Google’s Waymo insist that more sophisticated radar and laser rangefinding sensors are necessary for vehicles to assess their surroundings.

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The Tesla smashed through a wall with a picture of a road. Picture: YouTube/Mark Rober

Rober put the cars to the test by setting up a fake wall inspired by “Roadrunner” cartoons.

In his experiment, a Tesla Model Y relying on cameras for its cruise control and auto emergency braking systems did not detect the obstacle, smashing through it spectacularly.

But a prototype Lexus fitted with an expensive LIDAR scanner accurately recognised the wall and stopped in time.

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The fake road looked reasonably convincing. Picture: YouTube/Mark Rober

That’s because the LIDAR sensor does not rely on shapes and colours to “see” its environment. Instead, it fires laser beams and measures how long it takes the signal to bounce back from surrounding objects, giving the car a better sense of its surroundings.

Lidar sensors had no problem spotting the wall. Picture: YouTube/Mark Rober

Rober said people should “never underestimate the power of freakin’ lasers!”

“I can definitively say for the first time in the history of the world, Tesla’s optical camera system would absolutely smash through a fake wall without even a slight tap on the brakes.”

“Turns out my Tesla is more Wile E Coyote, and less Roadrunner.”

The car with LIDAR sensors stopped easily. Picture: YouTube/Mark Rober

The video attracted more than 10 million views in two days and sparked controversy on social media.

The video did not feature Tesla’s latest car or its latest driver assistance technology – known as “Full Self Driving” – instead relying on an the brand’s simpler “Autopilot” assistance suite.

People accused Rober of making a “very misleading” video “attacking Tesla and Elon Musk”, and asked “did you rig the test”.

Others found it informative, and said it “explains all the kid shaped dents on the front of my Tesla”.

Originally published as Tesla fails ‘Roadrunner’ test in viral video