Tesla recently rewrote the entire software stack for its FSD (full self-driving) features. Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
On Tuesday night, Tesla rolled out the beta version of its new Autopilot FSD (Full Self-Driving) software to a small group of Tesla owners in the U.S.
As its name suggests, Autopilot FSD is supposed to allow a car to drive itself in most road conditions with no human intervention. Specifically, the beta version enables a vehicle to “make lane changes off highway, select forks to follow your navigation route, navigate around other vehicles and objects, and make left and right turns,” according to Tesla’s release notes.
Tesla recently rewrote the entire software stack for FSD features. So the system’s neural network requires a large amount of testing to improve performance. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted on Tuesday that the beta rollout “will be extremely slow and cautious, as it should.” And Tesla urged drivers to use the system with additional caution. “It may do the wrong thing at the worst time, so you must always keep your hands on the wheel and pay extra attention to the road,” the company said in release notes.
At least two selected Tesla owners have shared their first impressions of FSD on Twitter. Below is a compilation of short videos showing how the software drives a Tesla car at crossroads, next to pedestrians, at roundabouts and in other road conditions.
What the user interface looks like
The future is coming… FSD BETA is here, I hope @Tesla makes progress to get this out to more people soon! Full intersection rendering on the DEV UI is incredible. I didn’t have any interaction other than modifying my following distance. pic.twitter.com/eKhvmPsAt2
— Brandonee916 (@brandonee916) October 22, 2020
It’s real… this is part of the development UI and is BETA. pic.twitter.com/SmhCrftJcc
— Brandonee916 (@brandonee916) October 22, 2020
Make a right turn
Fsd beta right hand turn from inside and outside of the car. @elonmusk you are a life hack and the @tesla AP team is 🤯🤯🤯🤯. @ElonAccessories @tesla_raj pic.twitter.com/BTTXxBXClf
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) October 22, 2020
Make a left turn
Wow here is a left turn and it safely went through the light. This is bettaaaaa people and it’s amazing. @elonmusk you savage, you have created a life hack and you have accomplished fsd. @tesla_raj pic.twitter.com/L8dPC6PhpU
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) October 22, 2020
Navigate a roundabout
Overly cautious at a roundabout… I didn’t have to interact until the end of the process. Not bad for the first attempt! Go FSD BETA! pic.twitter.com/3gPkztUWgY
— Brandonee916 (@brandonee916) October 22, 2020
Yield to other cars and pedestrians
Very difficult to get video shot… I’ll get a better video soon… it turned on the signal, waited for the car and pedestrians… at night! Incredible work @Tesla !! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/HL65vB1gYR
— Brandonee916 (@brandonee916) October 22, 2020
If the beta testing goes well, Tesla plans to expand FSD to all Tesla customers in the U.S. by the end of the year. International rollout may need to wait a bit longer due to country-specific traffic rules and driving habits.
“So many different traffic signs, rules and languages around the world. Not to mention driving on the left side of the road!” Musk tweeted Thursday.
As soon as we complete testing & regulators approve. So many different traffic signs, rules & languages around world, not to mention driving on left side of road! Also, a long & challenging road lies ahead getting to high 9’s reliability (way beyond human).
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 22, 2020
