B.C.s government-run insurance body says the sort of driverless operation made possible by Teslas new Smart Summon feature is prohibited in the province, and that collisions involving Smart Summon may not be covered.Local outlet Richmond Newsthis past week shared a reader’s video showing a Tesla Model 3 being controlled via the Smart Summon app attempting to drive into a Richmond, B.C. parking lot in the oncoming lane.Had that car crashed, the ICBC told the newspaper, the owners insurance may not have provided coverage.Currently, B.C. laws do not permit driverless vehicles on our roads, ICBC said in a statement. A vehicle being driven autonomously in a shopping mall parking lot, for example, is not allowed. The driver is responsible for the operation of the vehicle including when driver assistance is activated.The videos were taken at a parking complex in Richmond, B.C., and show a white Tesla Model 3 with no driver at the wheel, driving to meet up with its owner, who was controlling the cars progress via the Smart Summon app a few hundred feet away.As the vehicle enters the parking lot it crosses the yellow center line, perhaps to avoid the person walking across the crosswalk. There are fewer painted lines on the pavement in shopping mall areas, so its possible the Teslas software was confused about its whereabouts.The video shows the car hesitating, and in the second video, a diesel VW Jettas driving past it seems to further confound the tech. The woman who shot the video says a security guard came running out of the mall to chase the vehicle before it was stopped, when a man thought to be a friend of the owners appeared. The Smart Summon feature was only rolled out in Canada a few weeks ago, and Transport Canada has yet to outline any specific standards governing its use. However, drivers generally arent even allowed to take their hands off the steering wheel while in a vehicle controlled by semi-autonomous tech, so their being completely outside the vehicle should be, by extension, prohibited, too.While many U.S. Tesla Smart Summon features have had no problem with the technology, there have also been dozens of videos of Smart Summon-controlled vehicles narrowly avoiding collisions and behaving bizarrely, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there to launch a formal
Origin: Watch: ICBC rules Tesla’s driverless Smart Summon feature not allowed in B.C.
rules
F1 bosses unveil new 2021 rules to boost racing
Formula 1 bosses have revealed dramatically reworked new regulations for the 2021 season, promising new-look cars that will improve on-track battling and close up the gaps between teams. The new regulations, which include both the technical specifications of the cars and new rules, have been developed over the last two years by F1 bosses and the FIA, motorsport’s governing body. There will also be a cost cap in an attempt to make closer competition between the teams. From 2021, F1 cars will have a new look, with simplified aerodynamics designed to put more emphasis on mechanical grip and make it easier for cars to race each other. It’s claimed that a 2021 car will retain 86% of downforce when a car length behind another, compared with 55% on the current machines. F1 boss Chase Carey said the aim of the new rules was “to improve the competition and action on the track and at the same time make the sport a healthier and attractive business for all.” He continued: “We made many changed during the process as we received input by the teams and other stakeholders, and we firmly believe we achieved the goals we had set out to deliver.” Carey also revealed that new engine rules and a commitment to increase the renewable element of the fuel used are designed to reduce F1’s impact on the environment, saying: “In the next few weeks, we will be launching plans to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental impact of our sport and business.” F1 2021 rules in details Technical regulations Aerodynamics: The new rules will simplify the look of the cars, desensitise certain areas and reduce wake to make it easier for cars to follow each other. There will be a simpler front wing, bargeboards will be banned and ground effect will be added by a long diffuser under each sidepod in order to put an emphasis on mechanical grip. Restrictions will be introduced in a number of areas to limit the impact of aerodynamics, although the rules will still ensure visual differentiation in areas such as the nose, front wing, engine intake and sidepods. Power units: The current 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrains will be carried forward, although to cut costs there will be new restrictions on certain materials, increased weight and the introduction of a standard fuel pump. Engine suppliers will also be obliged to provide equal-spec engines to works and customer teams. Transmission: To make ‘considerable’ savings on gearbox research and development, the configurations will be frozen for a certain period, with more restrictive rules introduced in order to not ‘lock in’ a performance advantage for one team. One complete redesign will be allowed in a five-year cycle. Suspension: Suspension setups will be simplified, with hydraulic systems banned and a requirement to use ‘simpler’ internal systems (springs and dampers). Wheels: The size of wheels will be increased to 18in, while tyre blankets will be retained – albeit at a lower cost – for 2021 and 2022. There will be prescribed-design hubs, nuts and wheel retention systems. Brakes: Front disc sizes will grow from 278mm to 330mm and have a simpler geometry (with fewer vent holes). A standard supply will be delayed until at least 2023. Chassis: There are larger cockpit dimensions so that taller drivers aren’t penalised. A prescribed front floor structure will be introduced to stop teams seeking an advantage from flexible floors and strong side beam protection to aid side impact safety. Fuel: The renewable content of the fuel used will increase to 20% for 2021, with a commitment to increase that percentage in the following years. A number of new standard parts for the fuel systems will also be introduced. Weight: The minimum mass of the cars will increase from 743kg to 768kg to account for the new wheels, tyres, standard parts, safety features and heavier power units. Safety: Cars will feature increased front energy absorbtion and side chassis strength. There will also be improved headrests and wheel tethers and new features to improve debris containment after accidents. Sporting regulations Races: The maximum number of races will increase to 25. Race weekends: Weekends will be reduced to three days from the current four (which currently comprise three days of on-track action and one day of off-track events). Development: There will be reductions in the amount of wind tunnel testing and CFD development allowed and limits on power unit dynamometer testing. Financial regulations The new cost cap for teams will be set at $175 million (£135m) for 21 races, adjusted by $1m (£773,000) for each race above or below that number on the calendar. The cost cap will exclude a number of items, including driver salaries, marketing, non-F1 activities, year-end bonuses, FIA entry fees and the costs for the ‘three highest pair
Origin: F1 bosses unveil new 2021 rules to boost racing
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