Controversy builds around 'autopilot's' name after fatal crash

Some of the most enthusiastic proponents of autonomous vehicles and features are worried that autopilot -- not the technology itself, but the very name, which some find misleading -- might slow down the evolution of the driverless car. They say that would be a shame, as autonomous technologies are designed to make driving safer by preventing minor fender-benders as well as reducing the number of traffic fatalities. A May 7 crash involving a Model S being driven in autopilot mode is all the buzz at the Automated Vehicle Symposium here this week, a major annual event for engineers, auto executives, software developers, policymakers and others involved in the transition of automobiles into robots. Most years, technology dominates the conference. This year, it's safety and consumer readiness for robots that take over the driving.