Skip to main content

Elon Musk’s wife shows how (not) to use Tesla Autopilot [Video]

Elon Musk wife

In order to limit any negative impact following some reported misuses of the Autopilot, Tesla pushed more constraints to its semi-autonomous driving system through a software update late last year. The automaker made it clear that it was only a precaution and that it wasn’t aware of any accident caused by the system.

On the other hand, we learned of a few accidents that was prevented by the Autopilot (here and more recently here). When releasing the feature, Tesla made it clear that drivers should keep their hands on the steering wheel while using ‘Autosteer’, but of course Tesla owners would naturally want to push the limits of the feature, and of course we now see that even Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s wife is not using it as recommended.

Elon Musk’s on again, off again wife according to a recent divorce filing, actress and author Talulah Riley, was featured in a video posted by a friend earlier today. We didn’t get to see the original Instagram because it was deleted but a reader sent us the video below.

In the Instagram video, Riley is seen dancing, closing her eyes and covering her face while being at the wheel of a new Tesla Model X on a crowded city highway. She even almost inaudibly expressed her fear of crashing when the video ends.

The duo apparently quickly removed the video from Instagram – likely after realizing that it could be considered a misuse of the Tesla Autopilot. Here’s a quick GIF of the video:

musk wife autopilot
Tesla has been very careful in the language it uses for talking about the Autopilot. When releasing the feature, they clearly asked drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel:

Tesla requires drivers to remain engaged and aware when Autosteer is enabled. Drivers must keep their hands on the steering wheel.

During a presentation following the release of the system, Musk said that in good road conditions “people may [remove their hands from the steering-wheel], but we don’t advise that.” Musk also mentioned that the roads are so bad in Los Angeles that the AutoPilot sometimes has trouble seeing the lines.

The truth is that it’s fairly safe to remove your hands from the wheel. Of course, you always need to stay alert and be ready to take control (dancing and eye covering not recommended), but the Autopilot’s active safety features, like auto emergency braking and steering, are always on and should prevent the worst from happening.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

  1. Nøderak - 8 years ago

    lolololol. good job AP. saving the world, since 10/17/15.

  2. Bubba2000 - 8 years ago

    This kind of behavior reckless and may be illegal. The driver is not only endangering her life, but of others if in public roads. That thing weighs 5,500 lbs.

    Net result is that Tesla will be slow in releasing AP software.

    • Bradley - 8 years ago

      You must have a hard time making friends.

    • Phoudi - 8 years ago

      Hey “Bubba”, You don’t really understand the concept of AutoPilot there, Bubba. AutoPilot drives better than 1000 Bubbas put together. I also agree, you have a really hard time making EV friends, huh? Also, Model S does not weigh 5,500 lbs. Pretty much a crappy post, from start to finish.

      • Lemon Drop - 8 years ago

        Hi, reading all of your posts.. you must all be huge T.R fans.. She’s driving a X which is SAID to weigh
        6700 pounds. and comments of all sorts are great aren’t they? I love all your shitty posts! Thanks for posting. I’ll keep reading. I take driving very seriously and I don’t because others don’t take it serious enough. Love Tesla, Talulah is young. She made a minor mistake.

  3. hobowankenobi - 8 years ago

    Not condoning “misuse” but really….drivers do worse than this all the time.

    Without AP!

    Anybody that has been driving 20+ years has oodles of stories of ourselves or friends lack of attention and bad judgement that would make this look like good, defensive driving.

    The whole “Must keep hands on the wheel” is clearly a lawyer required statement to limit liability.

  4. So cute.
    And i dont see the harm in it. She had total control. Enough anyway.

  5. Electric feel - 8 years ago

    On and off relationship? I bet Elon has had enough of her shit at this point. She may be hot, but doesn’t look like the sharpest tool in the shed…

    • MorinMoss - 8 years ago

      Hot?? Nah, not even close but she is attractive. I guess she’s very much Elon’s type and looks a great deal like 1st wife Justine.

  6. Luke - 8 years ago

    Elon was recently seen with supermodel Petra Nemcova.

    • MorinMoss - 8 years ago

      Petra Nemcova? Really?? He’s definitely got a type; another John Derek.

      • danfrederiksen1 - 8 years ago

        I think the type is tasty woman. It’s a common preference 🙂
        Although somewhat rare in LA where men often prefer men.

  7. kp (@kushka53) - 8 years ago

    seatbelt?

Author

Avatar for Fred Lambert Fred Lambert

Fred is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at Electrek.

You can send tips on Twitter (DMs open) or via email: fred@9to5mac.com

Through Zalkon.com, you can check out Fred’s portfolio and get monthly green stock investment ideas.