"Tesla continues to include the Autopilot sensors and software in its cars, but has deactivated the system while further testing is undertaken. The company plans to re-activate it in 2019 or thereafter."
The author might have been confused about the reason for the switch from the Mobileye-based v1 hardware of Tesla Autopilot to in-house v2, which indeed represented a regression in functionality. It is true that the death of the driver was a catalyst in the breakdown of the relationship between Tesla and Mobileye. But there were plenty of other reasons, most related to hardball business tactics. It's false to say that Tesla removed existing Autopilot functionality.
Moreover, even v2 of Autopilot is currently approaching v1's level of functionality. Autosteer works and TACC works. Those are the main parts. I think only minor features like automatic windshield wipers are still missing. (I have only v1 so I don't know first-hand.)
Incidentally, it's rare for The Economist to get facts so wrong. Their articles are usually very well-researched.
"Tesla continues to include the Autopilot sensors and software in its cars, but has deactivated the system while further testing is undertaken. The company plans to re-activate it in 2019 or thereafter."
The author might have been confused about the reason for the switch from the Mobileye-based v1 hardware of Tesla Autopilot to in-house v2, which indeed represented a regression in functionality. It is true that the death of the driver was a catalyst in the breakdown of the relationship between Tesla and Mobileye. But there were plenty of other reasons, most related to hardball business tactics. It's false to say that Tesla removed existing Autopilot functionality.
Moreover, even v2 of Autopilot is currently approaching v1's level of functionality. Autosteer works and TACC works. Those are the main parts. I think only minor features like automatic windshield wipers are still missing. (I have only v1 so I don't know first-hand.)
Incidentally, it's rare for The Economist to get facts so wrong. Their articles are usually very well-researched.