Reader Response Draft 2

 

The Tesla autopilot system, also known as Full Self Driving (FSD) is a revolutionary autopilot system designed to become fully autonomous soon (The Economic Times, 2023). Our research focuses primarily on the safety features of the system, the autopilot software, and how they work in conjunction with the Graphical User Interface (GUI). There are three levels of the autopilot system which vary based on how much you pay for the vehicle. It starts with the basic autopiloting system, the enhanced autopiloting system, and the full self-driving capability system, which costs more than the base features of the autopilot system (Ahsan, 2023). Tesla Vision, which consists of eight externally installed cameras around the vehicle provides a 360-degree view of its surroundings, to identify whatever obstacles you might encounter on the road (Dnistran, 2023). Tesla has also gotten rid of the traditional buttons and controls on the dashboard and has replaced them with just one big touchscreen device placed right in the middle of the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The device displays important statistics and statuses of the vehicle's performance (Not a Tesla App Staff, 2024).

 

 Tesla’s autopiloting system may seem like a groundbreaking approach to the future of vehicle autonomy and safety, but there have been concerns made about how the heavy reliance on technology may affect a driver’s attention span on the road.

 

The Tesla Vision technology works by processing specific visual data captured and collected by eight externally installed cameras through neural networks (CARADAS, 2024). These networks can learn from various patterns and experiences to make more accurate predictions on the road, as they were designed to mimic the functioning of the human brain. The cameras located around the vehicle can detect and process distances of up to 250 meters and 360 degrees around the entire vehicle (Tesla, 2024). It will display the full view of a 3D model Tesla vehicle when it is on the road and display oncoming vehicles around you, traffic lights, road hazards, and curbs on the GUI device (Not A Tesla App Staff, 2024). Autosteering, another key component of Tesla Vision, uses the cameras to help the car stay centered in its lanes, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and navigate obstacles on the road (Scott, 2023). Additionally, Tesla's autopiloting system uses the cameras to detect and avoid possible collisions by automatically applying the brakes to prevent or mitigate the impact of an accident.

 

Starting with the first level of Tesla's FSD system, the autopilot system functions similarly to a normal adaptive cruise control system, where the driver has to set the desired speed he wants to travel (Stern, 2024). The system will ensure that the speed is maintained and slow down according to other vehicles ahead of it to match their speed. It also includes steering assistance which keeps the car within the lane markers of the road. The second level, which is known as the enhanced autopilot system, has all the base features of the first level as well as navigation functionality. It works on the basis that once a route has been locked into the navigation system, the vehicle will be able to switch lanes automatically to overtake slower vehicles ahead of it or to take exit ramps off the highway to stay on the same route that has been programmed into it. The highest level of Full Self-Driving Capability ensures that the vehicle can navigate and drive through city streets with little input from the driver as it includes Autosteering, which is different from the steering assistance mentioned in the first level of the FSD system. Autosteering will be able to notice traffic lights and signs around it, as well as stop fully and then move off depending on the traffic situation. Even though the FSD system might seem like a fully autonomous system, drivers are still required to have both hands on the steering wheel. Failure to comply with this will result in multiple warnings, resulting in the car slowing down and then finally turning off (Voitins, 2024). Drivers will also be able to override the system by simply using the brakes, steering the vehicle, or applying the cruise control stalk.

 

Despite Tesla's FSD autopilot system having many safety features and technological improvements, there are still several serious issues that need to be considered. According to an article by Aarian Marshall (2024), there have been at least 13 fatal crashes compiled in a federal report which involved Tesla vehicles where the drivers were found taking advantage of the system and being complacent while on the road. These crashes have killed 14 people and caused injuries to 49 individuals following data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  This makes us wonder just how much we can put our trust in the modern day autopiloting system.

 

In conclusion, Tesla’s Full Self Driving system does show a lot of technological advancements in the autonomous driving industry as they provide a range of features which help improve a vehicle’s safety and convenience. However, there are still many concerns about how one’s complacency on the road may lead to potential accidents, as proven by the reported crashes. Even though the technology may seem promising, we must consider the balance between safety, driver responsibility and the limitations of the current system before moving forward.

 

References

Ahsan, O. (2023, June 7). What do the cameras do in a Tesla?. Tesloid USA. https://tesloid.com/2023/06/06/what-do-the-cameras-do-in-a-tesla/

Autopilot. Tesla. (n.d.). https://www.tesla.com/en_AE/autopilot/%3Fredirect%3Dno

Dnistran, I. (2023, March 22). Elon Musk overruled Tesla engineers who said removing radar would be problematic: Report. insideevs. https://insideevs.com/news/658439/elon-musk-overruled-tesla-autopilot-engineers-radar-removal/

The Economic Times. (2023, July 8). Tesla Autopilot: What is it and how does it work? Here’s everything you may want to know  . The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/tesla-autopilot-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work-heres-everything-you-may-want-to-know/articleshow/101601035.cms

Marshall, A. (2024, April 26). Tesla autopilot was uniquely risky-and may still be. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-autopilot-risky-deaths-crashes-nhtsa-investigation/

Scott. (2023, March 17). What is Tesla Vision?. Silverstone Leasing. https://www.silverstoneleasing.com/blog/tesla-vision

Sekhar, - Metla Sudha, Rai, - Sachenkumar, Somani, - Shraddha, Gupta, - CA Rahul, Haque, - Ameen, Aaker, - Dr. David, Gratton, - Lynda, Arora, - Vipul, & Gupta, - Dr. C.P. (n.d.). Tesla Autopilot: What is it and how does it work? here’s everything you may want to know. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/tesla-autopilot-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work-heres-everything-you-may-want-to-know/articleshow/101601035.cms?from=mdr

Stern, P. (2024, March 21). How to use Tesla’s autopilot. How to Use Tesla’s Autopilot | Capital One Auto Navigator. https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/finding-the-right-car/how-to-use-teslas-autopilot/3115

Tesla Vision: Tesla self-driving Adas Features. Car ADAS. (2024a, July 1). https://caradas.com/tesla-vision-adas-features/#:~:text=the%20vehicle’s%20surroundings.-,How%20Tesla%20Vision%20Works,experiences%20to%20make%20accurate%20predictions.

Tesla Vision: Tesla self-driving Adas Features. Car ADAS. (2024b, July 1). https://caradas.com/tesla-vision-adas-features/#:~:text=Limitations%20of%20Tesla%20Vision,-Despite%20its%20impressive&text=One%20of%20the%20primary%20concerns,potentially%20compromising%20the%20system’s%20performance.

Voitins, I. (2024, April 8). Everything you need to know about tesla autopilot. Everything You Need To Know About Tesla Autopilot. https://www.evsrepublic.com/blog/principles-of-operation-advantages-and-nuances-of-the-tesla-autopilot