- Tesla stated it was beta on multiple occasions. Also claims they have "UNIQUE combination of cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors". For Tesla, this was categorically a beta test.
- A circumspect release would consider probability and severity of risk factors. The probability of idiots getting behind the wheel can not be discounted. Combine that with the temptation of said users to play with their new toy, plus (albeit low) probability of any number of hardware, sensor, or software malfunctions, plus all of the permutations and combinations of external road and traffic conditions that the Telsa network has not learnt yet, and the probably of accidents can not be insignificant.
- an accident in a high-performance car can easily result in deaths and grievous injuries of innocent people - a high severity risk
- beta software could have been made available to a select set of users rather than released in wild. Also could have discluded total hands-free and out-of-save-zone autonomy to make it safer