Tesla’s autopilot is a standout feature for their vehicles. They have been leading the automotive innovation for quite some time. But the question remains, Do all tesla’s have autopilot?
All Tesla cars apart from the early models up to late 2014 have autopilot features. Every new Tesla car is equipped with an autopilot system. Some models are listed below:
- Model 3
- Model X
- Model Y
- 2014 and later Model S Sedans
- Cybertruck
- Tesla Semi
Tesla Models that don’t have autopilot:
- 2008-2012 Roadsters
- 2012 & 2013 Model S Sedans
In this article, we will go through discussions on do all Tesla’s have autopilot, the different versions, and how it works.
Types of Autopilot Systems Available in Tesla Cars
What people call autopilot is broadly known as “Driver assistance” in Tesla cars. This system exists to increase road safety and convenience for a driver.
Tesla only has a level 2 automation which is not fully autonomous so it’s still a good idea to be careful on the road with the feature on.
Tesla autopilot comes in three forms. All the features require the driver to be running point. Let’s dive into the capabilities of each variant:
Basic Autopilot
Every new car developed by Tesla has the basic functions of the autopilot system available to them.
Features of this version work on every road that has striping. This is where Tesla is far ahead of its competition as other vehicle autopilot systems only work on freeways.
Features of the basic autopilot system include the following:
- Auto-steer: Assists with steering within a lane.
- Cruise Control: Automatic adjustment of speed.
- Lane Centering: Keeps the vehicle in the center of a lane.
- Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: Maintains and adjusts speed based on traffic conditions.
Enhanced Autopilot
Tesla sells this as a feature upgrade for an extra $6000. The enhanced version of the autopilot system allows for extra control of the vehicle to itself.
Enhanced autopilot has some interesting features added on top of the basic ones. Here is a list:
- Navigation Assistance: Suggests and applies highway interchanges, and lane changes based on the navigation input. The driver has to confirm the changes.
- Auto-park: The car parks parallel and perpendicular with a single button press by itself.
- Summon: Remotely bring the car back and forward.
Full Self Driving Capability (FSDC)
This is the most intriguing of all Tesla Autopilot systems. But it doesn’t come cheap. You either have to buy it for $12000 or subscribe to monthly installments through the app.
FSDC Features include:
- Stop light/sign detection: The car slows down and stops at red lights.
- Automatic overtaking: Overtakes slow cars when it detects safe passage.
- Emergency Braking: Stops the car if you are about to have a collision.
Tesla cars from 2018 need a computer upgrade to version 3 for them to run FSD. The upgrade is free of cost.
Read More: Does Tesla Autopilot Stop At Red Lights?
How Tesla’s Autopilot Works and the Value It Provides?
A combination of hardware and software provides the driver-assistance features on Tesla cars. At the core is a sensor fusion system that gathers information from the various sensors attached to it. These include:
- Cameras: Around 8 cameras provide a 360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings. The onboard computer processes the video footage to help the driver.
- Radar: With the addition of more cameras, cars built for the North American market don’t use radar as much but it is still used by the ones that are delivered outside NA for further assistance to the autopilot system.
- Ultrasonic Sensors: Tesla vehicles have these sensors in front of the hood and the bumper. They detect nearby cars and objects and help with parking and low-speed maneuvering.
- Onboard Computer: It processes all the data to run neural networks and applies machine learning algorithms to analyze the sensor data in real time.
Autopilot systems offer various benefits to users. Here are some great values associated with the autopilot systems of Tesla cars:
- Reduces stress and fatigue that stems from long drives.
- Decreases the likelihood of a collision or the severity of it.
- Customization of autopilot behavior.
- Tesla autopilot in the future has the potential to create a smoother flow of traffic and reduce erratic driving behavior.
- Autopilot is very convenient for people who travel frequently.
The Future of Tesla Driver-Assistance Autopilot
Tesla is a consumer-oriented company with the vision to enhance the safety and convenience of its drivers. With that aim, they are constantly improving the autopilot and driver assistance features of their cars.
The “Full Self Driving Capability” is still in beta with over 400000 public testers. These features are only at an assistance level and the driver should always be cautious on the road.
Autopilot systems still have a long way to go. Tesla is ahead of every other manufacturer in this regard and hopes to achieve level 5 autonomous cars by the end of 2023.
Even with Tesla’s ambitious plans, the timeline to achieve this goal remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
How long can a Tesla drive itself?
According to enthusiasts who test vehicle automation, a Tesla car can drive itself without intervention from the driver for more than an hour.
Is Tesla autopilot safe?
Stats and demonstrations by the company show it is much safer than cars driven by people. In the last quarter of 2022, the crash count was one for every 4.85 million miles driven.
Can you sleep while driving a Tesla?
Tesla has not yet reached the level 5 autonomy of self-driving cars. So it is best not to fall asleep with the autopilot on. Falling asleep or unconscious behind the wheel is illegal in the real world.
Is Tesla the safest car in the world?
The Institute for Highway Safety recognizes the Tesla Model Y as one of the safest cars available on the market. 2023 is the third year it got the agency’s Top Safety Pick rating.
Read More: Tesla Blind Spot Monitoring: A Complete Guide for Tesla Drivers
