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. More on those later.