When it comes to futuristic cars, Tesla is practically leading the automobile industry. Focused on innovation, the company is already ahead in the race of autonomous or driverless vehicles. One of the interesting facts about Tesla cars is the launch of Tesla Autopilot, featured in almost all new models. This software is a testimony to the brand’s commitment to technological evolution in the automobile sector. It is one huge step towards fully autonomous vehicles in the future.
It won’t be wrong to say that Tesla Autopilot has contributed to the demand for Tesla cars. However, cars with this feature are not fully automatic or autonomous yet. Tesla Autopilot is a semi-automatic autopilot software that controls some of the aspects while driving. Today, we will discuss what Tesla Autopilot is, what it has to offer and how much it can control.
What is Tesla Autopilot?
Tesla Autopilot is a high-tech, semi-autonomous driving system that comes integrated with several advanced features. It assists drivers on the road to ensure efficiency, safety and ease. The system is frequently updated for the addition and enhancement of features.
The Tesla Autopilot enables your car to automatically accelerate, steer, brake and perform a few other basic tasks. While it gives us a glimpse into the possibility of completely driverless cars, the existing version is not completely autonomous and requires driver’s supervision.
How Tesla Autopilot Works
Tesla cars have around 12+ ultrasonic sensors and 8 cameras that provide 360-degree visibility to the drivers, even at a scale of 250 metres. The cars are also equipped with forward-facing radar that facilitates drivers to navigate through dust, heavy rain, fog and heavy traffic on the roads.
With the help of these radars, cameras and sensors, Autopilot responds to the car’s surroundings. The information from all three systems is processed within milliseconds by the robust onboard computer, which in turn engages certain features as needed.
Tesla Autopilot Features
Let’s take a look at Tesla Autopilot features to learn how this software suite facilitates Tesla drivers in different ways:
Autosteer
Tesla autosteer functionality handles curves on the road as it tracks lane lines through cameras. The auto-steering feature provides input that keeps the vehicle centred in its respective lane. However, the driver needs to handle the steering on turns at the intersections for a rapid response.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
The traffic-aware cruise control does not require driver input. The feature uses radar to match the traffic’s speed from the surrounding and locks the vehicle’s speed accordingly.
Tesla Full Self-Driving Capability Features
You get the following features when Tesla Autopilot is combined with Full Self Driving Capability (FSD):
Auto Lane Change
Tesla cars with FSD can change the lane automatically with the turn signal. It indicates the desired lane before shifting to the other one. However, it does not allow cars to suddenly change lanes. It first verifies that the lane is clear or not to make the necessary move.
Smart Summon
Summons allow vehicles to move via Tesla App. There are two types of summons integrated in Tesla Autopilot: Basic and Smart.
With Basic summon, the car can move forward and backwards in a straight direction with a push-button option in Tesla App. With Smart summon, Tesla cars can navigate automatically to the driver.
Navigate on Autopilot (beta)
Navigate feature in Tesla enables autonomous driving on the highway and semi-automatic driving and navigation from on-road to off-road. Once you are on the highway and your destination is in the navigation system, you can choose to Navigate on Autopilot.
This feature requires no driver input when making exits, changing lanes, going through highway interchanges and driving out from the passing lane.
Autopark
Tesla FSD also features Autopark functionality that parks the car without driver’s assistance. This feature is smart enough to park your Tesla car in perpendicular and parallel parking areas.
Stop Sign and Traffic Light Control (beta)
This Tesla Autopilot feature responds to traffic signals and stop signs across the city. The feature is still in its beta mode and unavailable in most areas.
Tesla Autopilot Safety Features
Almost all makes and models of Tesla since 2014 have Autopilot Active Safety features integrated regardless of the Autopilot hardware version. Let’s take a look at the safety features offered by Tesla Autopilot:
Blind Spot Monitoring
Blind-spot monitoring feature alerts the drivers about the vehicles and hurdles that may be in their blind spot while changing lanes.
Forward Collision Warning
Forward collision warning alerts about objects drawing closer from the front, but the driver has to decide how to react accordingly. You can turn this feature off entirely or set how early or late you want it to warn you about the obstacle.
Side Collision Warning
Side collision warning alerts Tesla drivers about other vehicles and objects approaching from the side.
Obstacle Aware Acceleration
Obstacle aware acceleration is a safety Tesla Autopilot feature to avoid sudden collisions and hits. This feature limits acceleration when it detects an object that is about to collide. It prevents unintended acceleration due to human error.
Automatic Emergency Braking
Automatic emergency braking prevents collision with a vehicle or a hurdle coming in Tesla’s way. The brakes are engaged when the sensor detects a possible collision. The purpose of this feature is to save the vehicle from collision or at least minimize the impact.
Lane Departure Avoidance
Lane departure avoidance ensures that you keep driving your Tesla in its lane. It alerts the driver if the car seems to be drifting from the lane. This feature keeps the track of all the lanes when you drive a Tesla car. You can configure its alert as a warning alarm or turn it off.
Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance
Due to emergency lane departure avoidance, your Tesla vehicle will instantly change its direction if there is a risk of collision and the car is drifting towards another lane. This feature is an advanced function of the lane departure avoidance feature.
Auto High Beams
The Tesla Autopilot safety feature also includes an auto setting of beams. The software adjusts the beams to low and high by sensing the surroundings of the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference between Tesla Autopilot and Full-Self Driving?
The difference between Tesla autopilot and Full-Self Driving is that autopilot is a smart software designed for driver’s assistance, but it does not make a car completely autonomous. Whereas, Full-Self Driving is an advanced version of standard Tesla Autopilot with an additional set of smart features that can be added at the time of purchase.
Do all Teslas have Autopilot?
All the makes and models of Tesla launched after April 2019 navigate on Autopilot. These models also include Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control.
Does the Tesla Autopilot stop at a red light?
Yes, the updated Tesla Autopilot responds to traffic signals and stop signs.
Tesla’s Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y, all support Autopilot software. Tesla is consistently updating the Autopilot to enhance the overall functionality and efficiency of the software suite. These updates are based upon the data taken from Tesla vehicles running on the roads.
Tesla is revolutionizing the driving experience with its line of fuel-efficient electric cars equipped with smart features. While brand new Tesla cars with Autopilot on sale are quite expensive, you can choose to buy used Tesla cars and save some money. A number of used Tesla cars in Dubai are up for sale and all post-2019 models have Tesla Autopilot. For brand new models, you may head to the Tesla showrooms in Dubai. Moreover, if you are in the capital city of the UAE, you can easily buy used Tesla cars in Abu Dhabi that includes Tesla Model X, Model S and Model 3.
For more information about cars and automotive technology, stay tuned to UAE’s leading auto blog.
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