Standards, like electrical plugs, are usually so simple we don’t even really notice them. But they’re extremely important: Good ones can drive innovation; bad ones can stifle growth.
Together, three recent events mark a crucial turning point in the development of autonomous cars: They are both safer and more advanced than ever before.
Critics don’t think Tesla can sell enough home batteries to justify its acquisition of SolarCity, but what they’re underestimating is the potential for innovation the Gigafactory brings.
Two Tesla cars running on autopilot have crashed this year, and one driver was killed. It raises the question of whether the company’s autonomous driving system is safe for our roads.
If you’re worried about rising electricity prices, then going off-grid sounds attractive. But why not create an intelligent network of solar-powerd batteries that can reduce prices for all?
The ‘early adopters’ of home battery storage will pay significantly more than those who come later, but it won’t be long until prices drop enough for many more to get on board.
As electric vehicle fans, Tesla’s customers are a key cog in the company’s marketing machine. How much pull will they have as Tesla makes the Model 3 for a broader – and tougher – crowd?
Unlike a driver, the way a self-driving car responds to emergencies is programmed –decided in advance. We need to sort out the legal questions of responsibility this raises, and soon.