Tesla’s web page on “Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability”(2023-a) introduces the functions and features of their Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot and Full-Self Driving Capability (FSD). Tesla’s autopilot is an advanced driver assistance system that boosts the safety and convenience of its occupants (Tesla, 2023-a). Moreover, when autopilot is utilised correctly, it can help reduce the overall burden on the driver (Tesla, 2023-a). Presently, Tesla cars constructed for the North American market utilise eight outward facing cameras mounted on the car instead of radar (Tesla, 2023-a). The cameras altogether provide a visibility of 360 degrees and up to a range of 250 metres (Tesla, 2023-b).
In terms of features, Tesla’s autopilot includes capabilities such as Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, Smart Summon and Traffic and Stop Sign Control for FSD. Overall, the functions and features of Tesla’s Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot and FSD are rated level 2 by the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) levels of driving automation (Brahambhatt, 2021). This means that Tesla’s autopilot system is meant to be used in tandem with the driver and not by itself as it is only partly autonomous. Nevertheless, Tesla’s autopilot and full-self driving system is a more technologically advanced system in comparison against Tesla’s competitors such as General Motors and Ford, due to its variety of features such as autopark and autosteer on city streets.
Firstly, Tesla’s autopilot is more technologically advanced in the way it provides great convenience to its drivers. Some of the related functions are the “smart summon” and “autopark” abilities (Tesla, 2023-a). According to Tesla (2023-a), Tesla’s Smart Summon feature allows the car to find its driver or move to a location of their choosing autonomously. However, the use for this technology is intended for parking lots and private driveways. The capability of this feature is showcased in a video by TESLA LIVING (2023), where the Tesla owner summoned his car to his location. The Tesla was shown to be able to navigate the car park and eventually stop in front of the Tesla owner. This can be immensely helpful if Tesla owners are unable to find their vehicle or have many items to load into their car. At present, no other smart car manufacturer has this feature, which again, highlights how Tesla’s autopilot and FSD is more technologically advanced.
Another set of features of Tesla’s FSD is Autosteer on City Streets and Traffic and Stop Sign Control (Tesla, 2023-a). Autosteer on City Streets allows Tesla’s autopilot to navigate the car autonomously in street environments. This feature is used in conjunction with FSD’s Traffic and Stop Sign Control Feature, which decelerates the car when approaching an intersection with traffic lights or a stop sign. The capability of both features can be demonstrated in Marques Brownlee’s video, where he used his Tesla’s FSD to travel to work. In the video, Brownlee’s Tesla was able to navigate in the streets close to his home, making through roundabouts and intersections until his Tesla reached the expressway, where the autopilot seamlessly transitioned to highway driving (Brownlee, 2022). Being able to travel on city streets and not just highways makes Tesla’s autopilot more versatile in comparison to General Motors and Ford’s autopilots, which can only utilise their autopilot system on expressways. This makes overall travel less stressful, highlighting a strength of Tesla’s technologically advanced autopilot.
However, autopilot systems are a technology still under development. Thus, they are not perfect and may not work as expected of an actual human driver. Citing again from Brownlee’s video, there was an instance where his Tesla was unable to detect a cone at one of the merges his Tesla was approaching, resulting in Brownlee’s intervention to redirect the car (Brownlee, 2022). This means that as a system, it still requires human supervision as directed by SAE’s rating of level 2 automation.
Despite the possible risks due to a still developing system, Tesla’s autopilot is still capable of providing a greater level of awareness to drivers. The car’s cameras provide a great level of visibility around the car, something that even the most alert human cannot be aware of at all times. Combined with the system’s computation, it can even avoid accidents. In a video by Wham Baam Teslacam (2022), an owner of a Tesla car named Josh Dejournett, narrowly avoided an accident with another car at night. During the recorded incident, it was shown that Tesla’s autopilot warned him beforehand of a potential accident and braked the car autonomously as well. Tesla’s autopilot was imperative in aiding his reaction to avoiding the accident completely.
In conclusion, Tesla’s autopilot, despite possible flaws, is still a much more technologically developed system in comparison to its competitors. This is due to the more comprehensive features provided, such as Autopark and the autopilot being able to operate in city streets.
References
Brahambhatt, R. (2021, September 8). Settling the debate: Does Tesla’s autopilot save lives or risk them? Interesting Engineering. https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/does-teslas-autopilot-save-lives-or-risk-them
Brownlee, M. (2022). Tesla Self Driving vs Everyday Roads! YouTube. Marques Brownlee. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nF0K2nJ7N8.
Tesla. (2023-a). Autopilot and full self-driving capability: Tesla Support. https://www.tesla.com/support/autopilot
Tesla. (2023-b). Autopilot. https://www.tesla.com/autopilot
TESLA LIVING. (2023). Summon Your Tesla with a Click: Watch It Drive to You Like Magic! | limitations | Review. YouTube. TESLA LIVING. Retrieved September 26, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk80FAu7OD4.
Wham Baam Teslacam. (2022). TESLA AUTOPILOT IN EXTREME SITUATIONS | TESLACAM STORIES 125. YouTube. Wham Baam Teslacam. Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3XZ6tf24QE&t=130s.
Comments
Post a Comment