Tesla is eagerly awaiting approval from European regulators to launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in the region. CEO Elon Musk recently mentioned on social media that Tesla is waiting for EU approval before rolling out the FSD system. This comes after the “beta” label was removed from Autopilot’s Autosteer feature in Europe, signaling progress towards full autonomy.
Autosteer is a key feature of Tesla’s Autopilot system, allowing the vehicle to assist in steering within a clearly marked lane while using traffic-aware cruise control. The system is activated by pulling the cruise control or gear selector stalk twice, with a grey steering wheel icon indicating availability and turning blue when active. However, the driver must keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, as the system uses torque sensors and an in-car camera to monitor driver attentiveness. If warnings are ignored, Autopilot will be disabled for the trip. Autosteer is designed for divided highways with clear lane markings and should not be used on sharp turns or poorly marked roads.
In Europe, FSD Supervised will enable Tesla vehicles to navigate city streets, including responding to traffic lights at intersections. While a limited version of FSD has already been tested on roads in China, regulatory approval is still pending for European roads. Tesla had previously outlined plans to launch FSD in China and Europe in the first quarter of this year, contingent upon government approvals. However, progress has been slow on this front.
Meanwhile, Tesla is gearing up to launch its Robotaxi service next month, starting in Austin, Texas. This service will allow Tesla vehicles to operate autonomously as taxis, providing a glimpse into the future of transportation. As the company continues to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology, the launch of FSD in Europe will be a significant milestone in Tesla’s quest for full autonomy.