Recently, autonomous driving has become a hot topic in the technology industry. Tesla, Google’s Waymo, and Uber are just a few of the companies investing heavily in this technology.
Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, made an exciting announcement that has caught the attention of Tesla enthusiasts and autonomous driving advocates alike. He teased a free trial of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in North America.
In this post, we’ll discuss Tesla FSD, its significance, and the implications of this announcement on the autonomous driving industry. We’ll examine the details of Elon Musk’s announcement, including how the trial will work and eligibility requirements. Lastly, we’ll explore the potential impact of the trial on the future of autonomous driving and Tesla.
Tesla FSD: Digging In
What is Tesla FSD?
Tesla’s FSD enables autonomous mode (the ability for Tesla vehicles to drive themselves to a destination entered in the car’s navigation system without human intervention.). However, it’s essential to note that this does not mean that the driver can neglect their duties. FSD provides driver-assistance features such as lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, etc.
The FSD technology uses a combination of cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and radar to detect obstacles, traffic lights, and other vehicles on the road. The technology can detect objects up to 250 meters away and will make decisions based on the information it receives.
Some of the features and capabilities of Tesla FSD include:
- Navigate on Autopilot: The car can automatically change lanes, take exits, and navigate on highways to reach a destination.
- Auto Park: The car can park itself in a parallel or perpendicular parking space.
- Summon: The car can drive to its owner on its own in a parking lot.
- Auto Lane Change: Can automatically change lanes on the highway when necessary.
- Smart Summon: The owner can summon the car to a location from a distance.
- Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: The car can detect and respond to traffic lights and stop signs.
Using Tesla FSD has several benefits, including:
- Improved safety: FSD technology can detect and respond to potential dangers on the road, reducing accidents caused by human error.
- Reduced driver fatigue and stress: FSD can take over some of the driving responsibilities, making driving less tiring and stressful.
- Increased convenience: FSD can make driving more efficient and enjoyable by reducing the need for frequent adjustments to speed and direction.
Now let’s discuss the CEO’s (Elon Musk) announcement and why it is causing excitement amongst Tesla enthusiasts and autonomous driving advocates alike
Elon Musk’s announcement
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced a free Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) trial in North America during the company’s Q2 2021 earnings call, Tesla’s Q2 2021 earnings call was a conference call that took place on July 26, 2021, shortly after Tesla reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2021. During the call, Tesla’s management team discussed the company’s financial performance, production, and delivery figures, and provided updates on various aspects of the business. The call was also an opportunity for analysts and investors to ask questions about Tesla’s plans and prospects.
The trial aims to give Tesla owners a chance to experience FSD before deciding to purchase the software.
Details of how the trial will work;
- The free trial will be available to Tesla owners who have not yet purchased FSD.
- The trial will last for one month and will be fully functional.
- During the trial, Tesla owners will have access to all FSD features, including Autopark, Summon, Navigate on Autopilot, and more.
- Tesla owners can choose to purchase FSD at any point during the trial or after it ends.
- The trial will be available to Tesla owners in North America who have Full Self-Driving Computer 2.0 or above.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the free trial, Tesla owners must have a vehicle with Full Self-Driving Computer 2.0 or above and have not previously purchased FSD. It’s worth noting that the trial does not give Tesla owners access to the upcoming FSD beta, which is currently being tested by a select group of Tesla owners.
Overall, the free Tesla FSD trial is a great opportunity for Tesla owners to experience FSD firsthand and see how the technology can enhance their driving experience.
The potential impact of the trial on the autonomous driving industry and the challenges Tesla may face in implementing it.
Elon Musk’s announcement of a free Tesla FSD trial in North America has the potential to significantly impact the autonomous driving industry. By allowing eligible Tesla owners to try out FSD for free, the trial could increase adoption and demand for autonomous driving technology. This could ultimately lead to improvements in road safety, traffic congestion, and environmental sustainability.
However, there are potential challenges that Tesla may face in implementing the trial. Safety concerns have been a major hurdle for autonomous driving technology, and Tesla has faced criticism in the past for the safety of its Autopilot system. The trial will need to address these concerns and demonstrate that FSD is safe for widespread use.
Public perception is another challenge that Tesla may face. Autonomous driving technology is still a relatively new concept for many people, and there may be scepticism or mistrust about its safety and reliability. The trial will need to address these concerns and educate the public about the benefits of autonomous driving technology.
Overall, the free Tesla FSD trial has the potential to be a significant step forward for the autonomous driving industry. However, Tesla will need to navigate these challenges to ensure the success of the trial and the widespread adoption of autonomous driving technology.
What is the difference between autopilot and FSD?
Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) are both autonomous driving features offered by Tesla, but they differ in terms of their capabilities. Tesla Autopilot is a driver assistance system designed for highway driving while Full Self-Driving (FSD) is a fully autonomous system designed for urban driving.
In general, FSD is much more advanced than Autopilot since it has more sensors and processing power, let’s carefully look at the difference between the two systems;
| Feature | Auto-Pillot | Full Self-Driving(FSD) |
|---|---|---|
| Navigate on Auto-Pilot | No | Yes |
| Auto Lane Change | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Park | Yes | Yes |
| Summon | Yes | Yes |
| Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control | No | Yes |
| Navigate on City Streets | No | Yes |
| Recognize and responds to traffic lights and Stop signs | No | Yes |
| Ability to navigate around obstacles | No | Yes |
| Autosteer | No | Yes |
| Recognizes and responds to pedestrians and cyclists | No | Yes |
Tesla FSD Subscription vs Purchase
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology is one of the most advanced autonomous driving systems available on the market. Tesla offers two ways to get access to FSD: a one-time purchase and a subscription service.
If you choose to purchase FSD outright, it costs $10,000 at the time of writing. This gives you access to the full suite of FSD features for the lifetime of your vehicle. However, if you plan on keeping your Tesla for a long time, this may be a worthwhile investment. It’s important to note that the price of FSD has increased over time and may continue to do so.
Alternatively, Tesla also offers an FSD subscription service that costs $199 per month (as of May 2023). This allows you to access all of the features of FSD for as long as you continue to pay the monthly fee. This may be a good option if you’re not sure if you want to commit to purchasing FSD outright, or if you plan on only using FSD for a limited amount of time. It’s worth noting that the subscription service is a bit more expensive in the long run compared to purchasing FSD outrightly. If you plan on keeping your Tesla for more than four years, you’ll end up spending more on the subscription service than you would have if you had just purchased FSD outright. However, the subscription service may be a more affordable option if you’re planning on only using FSD for a shorter period.
Finally, whether you choose to purchase FSD outright or subscribe to the service will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. If you plan on keeping your Tesla for a long time and want to ensure that you have access to all of the FSD features as long as you own the vehicle, purchasing FSD may be the better option. However, if you’re not sure if you want to commit to the full purchase price or only plan on using FSD for a limited amount of time, the subscription service may be the better option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tesla Autopilot banned in UK?
Tesla vehicles and the use of Tesla Autopilot are completely legal in the UK, as long as the drivers maintain vehicle control and attention to the road and meet all requirements. Despite concerns about safety and reliability, the system is not banned and can be legally used by eligible drivers.
How long can Tesla autopilot last?
Several factors determine the duration a Tesla can drive autonomously, including autonomy level, battery life, and road conditions. Although Tesla’s current Autopilot system is reliable for brief periods, drivers are still obligated to pay attention and maintain vehicle control. However, full self-driving capabilities are under development, and it is uncertain how long a Tesla will be capable of autonomous driving with this technology.
Tesla FSD price
| Basic Autopilot to FSD capability $199.00 per month
Enhanced Autopilot to FSD capability $99.00 per month |
|---|
You can check out additional info from Tesla’s Support Page
Does Tesla autopilot stop at red lights?
“Traffic and Stop Sign Control” is a feature of the Full Self-Driving package that allows your car to slow and/or stop at stop lights and stop signs when AutoPilot is engaged.
Conclusion
Tesla Autopilot is an advanced driving assistance system that has the potential to improve road safety when used responsibly. It’s important to remember that the system isn’t fully autonomous. Drivers must remain in control of the vehicle and alert at all times. While the development of full self-driving capabilities is ongoing, it’s uncertain how long a Tesla will be able to drive itself with this technology. Nevertheless, Tesla is constantly enhancing its Autopilot system to enhance driving safety and efficiency for all users.
