Key Takeaways
1. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) is now recognized as a Level 4 autonomy system in Austin, allowing unsupervised driving on public roads.
2. The pilot robotaxi program is expanding access to rides for Tesla account holders in Austin, with a flat fee of $4.20 per ride.
3. Tesla claims its Autopilot is ten times safer than the average human driver in the U.S.
4. The FSD system uses cameras for training and is designed to manage complex driving scenarios effectively.
5. There have been no major incidents during the initial phase of the unsupervised FSD robotaxi operation, and industry leaders are expressing admiration for Tesla’s technology.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) option has officially been recognized as a Level 4 vehicle autonomy system by the city of Austin. This marks the introduction of its unsupervised version on public roads.
Understanding Level 4 Autonomy
A Level 4 autonomous driving system eliminates the need for a human driver. Tesla is currently using its unsupervised FSD version on a fleet of driverless Model Ys as part of a pilot robotaxi ride-share initiative.
Robotaxi Launch Progress
The pilot program has now entered its second week, and Tesla is slowly broadening access to rides for everyday people with Tesla accounts in the Austin area, moving beyond just automotive influencers.
Each robotaxi ride utilizing the unsupervised FSD costs a flat fee of $4.20, no matter the distance traveled, as the testing is currently confined to a geofenced area.
Safety and Training
Tesla is confident that its driver-assist technologies, including Autopilot and the paid FSD feature, are the future of driving. Recent stats from its environmental impact report indicate that a Tesla operating on Autopilot is roughly ten times safer than an average human driver in the United States.
The company has disclosed details on how it trains its FSD system, which relies on cameras instead of LiDAR, to handle edge cases that drivers might encounter daily. These scenarios can include anything from fallen traffic cones to a child running across the street. For instance, a child crossing has been a key focus for Dan O’Dowd, a road safety advocate critical of FSD, highlighting the importance of preparing algorithms for such situations.
Early Days of Operation
So far, there haven’t been significant incidents related to the unsupervised FSD during the robotaxi operation in Austin; however, it is important to note that the program is still in its initial phases.
One individual who seems very impressed with Tesla’s FSD and its camera-based strategy is Lei Jun, the CEO of Xiaomi. Often referred to as the “Elon Musk of China,” Jun has recently shifted his focus from smartphones like the Xiaomi 14 Pro to electric vehicles such as the SU7 sedan and the YU7, a competitor to the Model Y. He commended Tesla’s FSD technology, stating, “Tesla is indeed amazing,” while sharing a video of a Model Y autonomously delivering itself to a customer. He noted, “It has led industry trends in many areas, especially FSD,” and concluded with, “we still have a lot to learn” regarding FSD and its training processes, especially concerning unusual scenarios.
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