Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology is making waves in the automotive industry, with experts and high-profile users claiming that it has surpassed the iPhone as the most significant innovation of the 21st century. Sports podcaster Clay Travis described the experience of using the software as “otherworldly” and “revolutionary,” sparking a conversation that caught the attention of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk emphasized that most people have yet to realize just how advanced the FSD system has become.
Comparing FSD to the iPhone is a bold move, considering the impact Apple’s smartphone had on global communication and industry. However, supporters of Tesla’s technology argue that we are only at the beginning of the transformative effects that autonomous driving will have. Unlike the iPhone, which has had years to mature, FSD is currently in an accelerating progress phase.
Tesla’s head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, hinted at upcoming technical updates that will further enhance the system’s capabilities. With over 8.5 billion miles logged by Tesla’s FSD Supervised across its global fleet, the safety data released by the company showcases a significant gap between human and machine performance. Tesla vehicles using FSD have an average crash rate of one crash for every 5.3 million miles driven, compared to manual driving’s average of one crash every 2.2 million miles.
One of Tesla’s unique approaches is its reliance on a camera-only vision system, eschewing expensive LiDAR sensors used by competitors like Waymo. By leveraging vast amounts of real-world data to train its neural networks, Tesla has achieved smooth handling and complex decision-making that critics once deemed impossible without laser-based sensors. Recent demonstrations in Austin featuring Robotaxi rides without safety drivers have further silenced skeptics.
However, not all Tesla owners can experience the latest version of FSD 14, as older Hardware 3 (HW3) equipped cars lack the capability, which is present in newer vehicles with Hardware 4 (HW4). Many HW3 owners are eagerly awaiting FSD 14 “Lite,” teased by Tesla as a future update for their vehicles.
The ongoing development and advancements in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology continue to push the boundaries of autonomous driving, with the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry and reshape the way we perceive transportation.