List of interesting links

Computer Science

• How to run a linux program without network access
• “An Introduction to Ray Tracing” is now free for download
• Understandable RayTracing in 256 lines of bare C++
• KABOOM! in 180 lines of bare C++
• Limit Hugo’s RSS feed to recent content in a single directory
• How to stabilize shaky video on Linux?

Level 2 Autonomous Cars considered harmful

My take? Either the car can really drive itself, then remove the steering wheel. If it can’t don’t call it autopilot. People cannot take over control over a failing autopilot because they cannot keep concentrating when they are not in control.

• Tesla driver dies in first fatal crash while using autopilot mode
• Self-driving Uber kills Arizona woman in first fatal crash involving pedestrian The person tasked with overseeing the autopilot was watching movies on her smartphone. And the collision prevention mechanism of the car was disabled so as to not interfere with the autopilot.
• Tesla driver caught on camera seemingly asleep on Autopilot
• Tesla Model X owner caught sleeping on the highway with Autopilot turned on
• Dangerous Idiot Sleeps While Driving His Tesla on Autopilot
• Tesla Driver Died Using Autopilot, With Hands Off Steering Wheel Driver did not have its hands on the wheel, but would have only had 5 seconds to react. People need 3 seconds to react when they are full on concentrated on the task. So when on autopilot – not the slightest chance.

The science:

• Autopilot makes driver reactions up to three times slower - study Where reaction times for a hands-on driver ranged between 0.5 and 1.5 seconds, participants using Autopilot took up to 3.5 seconds to respond to the same alarm. Drivers were also likely to glance away for the road for twice as long when the semi-autonomous system was running.
• Effects of Auditory Working Memory Tasks while Switching between Autonomous and Manual Driving
• Reaction Times When Switching From Autonomous to Manual Driving Control: A Pilot Investigation

The Politics

• Autopilot beim Model 3 in Europa deaktiviert (2019-08-02) Article explaining that the autpilot in Tesla Model 3 does not yet have permission to be used on european roads, and that Tesla deactivated the function for now. It also states that the autopilot in Tesla Model S and X does have permission. Tesla plans to enable autopilot in Model 3 in the next week. (It only needs permission from the Netherlands, which will then be valid for all europe. Tesla built a factory in the Netherlands.)

Linux Hints

• How to get Firefox looking right on a high DPI display
• How to install GPG keys for debian backports

Space

• The Missing History of the Explorer 1 Satellite