FOR those Tesla owners who purchased the FSD (or Full Self Driving) option for their cars, the Version 9 Beta is now available as an over-the-air update. This delivers self-driving capabilities to non-highway roads and streets, mainly across the pond in the States for now.
Whilst Tesla is very clear and matter-of-fact in their release notes that this is not a fully automated driving service, and those who have paid for access to the FSD Beta cannot now have a quick nap whilst the car does the driving.
Quite the opposite, in fact, stating in the release notes “It may do the wrong thing at the worst time, so you must always keep your hands on the wheel and pay extra attention to the road.”
Musk also states that the sensors and cameras will now rely on vision to start gathering more detailed information, like hand gestures, specific lights and information.
What does this Tesla Self Driving release mean for UK motorcyclists?
Quite simply, it’s a ‘warning’ of the future. Self-driving is already being slowly (but surely) implemented into cars in the UK.
Perhaps not adopted at the rate as the US is jumping in bed with autopilot it - in part due to the complex nature of British roads - but this latest FSD Version 9 introduces (or unleashes, depending on your stance) autopilot on roads not dissimilar to those found here in the UK.
Watch a Tesla navigate a roundabout:
Autopilot is still very much early days, and obviously in Beta mode - with a lot of work to do before it is ready for public release. One American Tesla FSD Beta tester & YouTuber Trevor Mahlmann tested out the latest update in an ‘unprotected left turn’ situation, with full self-drive engaged to see if the sensors would recognise the particular hazard of crossing a busy road.
Clearly the tech is quite a way off from being ready for public use, and it’s very much at the ‘gathering data’ stage of development, and no doubt government and insurance companies will be readying the ‘but who’s at fault if it goes wrong’ argument.
So be ready, Visordown readers, you’ll soon be sharing the road with electric self-driving vehicles.
