Tesla’s Full Autonomous Driving (FSD) The technology continues to improve, as footage from version 12.3.2.1 has shown.
YouTube user FSD in NYC shared footage of her Model Y navigating traffic in Midtown Manhattan during rush hour.
It was capable of performing more complicated maneuvers, such as maneuvering around a turning vehicle blocking an intersection and steering around a reckless double-parker.
However, it also turned out to be too cautious at times – for example, because you waited a little too long at a green light because there was traffic on the other side of the intersection.
It also dawdled through a few intersections and turned off at another, probably too early, when there was still a pedestrian at the intersection.
It also got stuck on a pedestrian crossing when a traffic light turned red, with the driver noting that this happened in the same spot on his last trip.
During a 30-minute drive, the driver had to step on the accelerator three times and take control a few times.
It also had to be re-locked once. The car also honked a few times, but that’s NYC for you.
“Would you say it’s pretty close to a taxi driver?” I would say it’s very close,” he said FSD in NYC.
“It behaves almost disturbingly human-like.”
What is notable, however, is that the trip was conducted on a clear day, not at night or in the rain.
Both Tesla’s fully autonomous driving and less intelligent Autopilot systems rely solely on cameras, with the brand’s vehicles no longer having radar.
They also don’t have LiDAR, a technology introduced by companies like Mercedes-Benz and Chinese brands like Nio, XPeng and Zeekr.
“Full Self-Driving” is a Level 2+ autonomous driving system and not a fully autonomous system (i.e. Level 5) as the name suggests. Tesla warns that active driver monitoring is required.
It is a more comprehensive driver assistance system than Tesla’s Autopilot and – at least currently in North America – offers the ability to navigate city streets and turn at intersections without driver input.
FSD will also stop at traffic lights and stop signs.
Outside North America, Tesla offers the option of so-called “Full Self-Driving” capability, but in Australia, for example, vehicles with this option enabled do not have an automatic steering function.
However, they have traffic light and stop sign recognition, which is not present in the brand’s Autopilot system.
The option here costs $10,100.
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