Tesla is the only carmaker beta testing 'autopilot' tech, and that's a problem

The recent news of the first-known fatality involving Tesla's semi-autonomous Autopilot system is undeniably tragic. However, it also highlights one distinct difference between the upstart carmaker and the rest of the established automotive industry: Tesla is beta testing the tech on the public. Every other automaker -- from BMW to Cadillac -- flat-out refuses to beta test driverless tech on the public. Other semi-autonomous driving systems, like Volvo's Pilot Assist system and Mercedes' Drive Pilot are in public hands, but they're not beta tests. For those unaware of the concept of beta testing, it's the process of testing something, like software, that's not completely finished yet. The first step, alpha testing, removes the huge, glaring issues.