Mark Rober, one of the most popular YouTubers, is known for his engaging science and engineering videos. A former NASA engineer, he has gained worldwide recognition thanks to his inventive and educational content. His latest video was uploaded just a few hours ago and I’m not sure how much longer it will be up, as Disney and Tesla are likely already scrambling to do damage control.
In Rober’s 18-minute video (embedded above), he first reveals how he sneaks into Disneyland with a tiny portable LiDAR scanner capable of shooting 640,000 laser pulses per second. He uses this technology to fully map the surroundings of Disney’s famous pitch-black ride, Space Mountain. The technology unveils what it would actually look like to ride Space Mountain with all the lights on.
As one person pointed out in the comments, “Making enemies with Tesla and Disney with just one video. This is commitment.”
They’re right. Not only will Disney be upset, but Elon Musk is not going to be pleased after Rober demonstrates that Tesla’s autopilot is not reliable and is inferior to LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of objects and surfaces, which Musk famously dismissed as “a fool’s errand.”
I wonder what he’ll say now after Rober and his team conducted “a six-part LiDAR versus camera head-to-head, culminating in a history-making first Tesla-versus-cartoon-physics test.”
Here’s a summary of the six tests:
1. Test 1: Kid in the Road (LiDAR vs. Tesla)
The LiDAR-equipped car successfully detected and stopped for a mannequin of a kid standing in the road from 60 feet away at 40 mph. The Tesla, relying on cameras, detected the mannequin but couldn’t brake in time, though it did stop when using autopilot.
2. Test 2: Kid Dashing from Behind a Parked Car (LiDAR vs. Tesla)
The cars were tested to see if they could detect a kid who suddenly dashed out from behind a parked car. Both cars, using LiDAR and Tesla’s autopilot, successfully stopped in time, saving the mannequin kid.
3. Test 3: Fog Test (LiDAR vs. Tesla)
In thick fog, the LiDAR car had no issue detecting the mannequin kid, as it could see through the fog with its laser-based technology. The Tesla struggled, and although it was on autopilot, it failed to stop in time, showcasing a significant disadvantage in foggy conditions.
4. Test 4: Heavy Rain (LiDAR vs. Tesla)
During a torrential downpour, the LiDAR car initially detected the mannequin, but as the water hit the sensors, it almost missed the stop. However, it did stop at the last second. The Tesla, on the other hand, lost track of the mannequin as soon as the rain started, failing to stop.
5. Test 5: Bright Lights and Detection (LiDAR vs. Tesla)
In both tests, the challenge was bright, blinding lights that could impair sensor performance. In the first part, the LiDAR car easily detected the mannequin despite the overwhelming light from truck headlights. In contrast, Tesla’s cameras struggled to detect the mannequin reliably in such conditions, giving the LiDAR car a clear advantage.
6. Test 6: Painted Wall Detection (LiDAR vs. Tesla)
In the ultimate “painted wall” test, the LiDAR system had no problem detecting and stopping for the wall, as it simply saw it as an obstacle. The Tesla, however, failed to detect the painted wall as anything other than a regular barrier, continuing full speed without applying the brakes. Even though the human driver knew it was a wall, the Tesla’s camera system didn’t respond, resulting in a dramatic failure to stop. This test confirmed that while LiDAR handled the situation effortlessly, Tesla’s system, relying only on cameras, failed to react in time.
There’s no denying that LiDAR proved itself to be the superior car technology. Rober must have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on these tests, and the results are truly eye-opening. I just hope all Tesla drivers and pedestrians watch it so they know that autopilot can’t always be trusted.
KEEP READING:
–The family-friendly California attraction you’ve never heard of but need to visit
–5 family-friendly California road trip ideas from Los Angeles
–The 10 most Instagrammable tourist attractions in California
–California road trip: Los Angeles to San Francisco and must-visit stops along the way
–Our first family trip to Legoland and The Castle Hotel
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