Tesla’s web page on “Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability” (2023-a) introduces the unique function and features of their Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot and Full-Self Driving Capability (FSD). One important function of Tesla’s autopilot is the 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 external cameras mounted on the car instead of radar systems (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. Furthermore, Tesla’s Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot and FSD are rated level 2 by the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE), a rating system 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 partially autonomous. Nevertheless, Tesla’s full-self driving system is more technologically advanced in comparison to its competitors such as General Motors (GM) and Ford, with its variety of features and function.
Tesla’s autopilot has the features “Smart Summon” and “Autopark” which provides great convenience to its drivers (Tesla, 2023-a). Tesla’s “Smart Summon” feature allows the car to drive autonomously to find its driver or to a location specified by the driver. This technology is intended for “private parking lots and driveways'' Tesla (2023-a). The capability of this feature is showcased in a video by Tesla Living (2023), where a 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. Currently, GM and Ford do not have these features, which again, highlights how Tesla’s autopilot and FSD is more technologically advanced compared to its competitors.
Furthermore, Tesla’s FSD has “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 on the streets and is used in conjunction with FSD’s “Traffic and Stop Sign Control” Feature (Tesla, 2023-a). This will decelerate the car when approaching an intersection with traffic lights or a stop sign (Tesla, 2023-a). Both capabilities are demonstrated in a video, whereby a driver used his Tesla’s FSD to navigate the streets around his home, driving through roundabouts and intersections, and seamlessly transitioned to expressway driving when entering the expressway (Brownlee, 2022). Tesla’s autopilot allows its vehicle to travel on both expressways and city streets, making it more versatile in comparison to GM and Ford’s autopilots, which can only utilise their autopilot system on expressways. This makes travelling less stressful, highlighting a strength of Tesla’s technologically advanced autopilot.
At the same time, FSD is still under development, which makes it unable to fully judge every road condition. As shown in a video by Brownlee, a Tesla was navigating autonomously on a two-way street, when a truck in front stopped with its hazard lights on but the Tesla stopped and stayed behind the truck. Eventually, the driver took over driving and overtook the truck (Brownlee, 2022). This means it still requires human supervision as indicated 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 its drivers. The car’s cameras provide a great level of visibility around the car which is something even the most alert human cannot be aware of at all times. This combined with the system’s computation, 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. This shows that Tesla’s autopilot was imperative in aiding his reaction in avoiding the accident completely.
In conclusion, Tesla’s autopilot, despite its flaws, is still a much more technologically developed system in comparison to GM and Ford. This is due to the more comprehensive features provided, such as “Smart Summon” and “Autosteer on City Streets”.
References
Brownlee, M. (2022, December 15). Tesla Self Driving vs Everyday Roads! YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nF0K2nJ7N8.
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
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, February 15). Summon Your Tesla with a Click: Watch It Drive to You Like Magic! | limitations | Review. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk80FAu7OD4.
Wham Baam Teslacam. (2022, April 3). TESLA AUTOPILOT IN EXTREME SITUATIONS | TESLACAM STORIES 125. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3XZ6tf24QE&t=130s.
Thanks for this revision, Isaac.
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