Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) tech continues to improve, as footage taken of v12.3.2.1 has shown.
YouTube user FSD in NYC has shared footage of their Model Y navigating midtown Manhattan traffic during peak hour.
It was able to execute more complicated manoeuvres, such as moving around a turning vehicle blocking an intersection and steering around an inconsiderate double parker.
However, it also proved too cautious at times – for example, waiting slightly too long at a green light because of traffic on the other side of the intersection.
It also dawdled through a couple of intersections, and yet arguably turned too soon at another when a pedestrian was still on the crossing.
It also got stuck on a pedestrian crossing when a light turned red, with the driver noting this happened in the same place on their last drive.
Over a 30-minute drive, the driver had to push the accelerator three times and take control a couple of times.
It also had to be re-engaged once. The car also got honked at a few times, but that’s NYC for you.
“Would you say it’s getting pretty close to a taxi cab driver? I would say so, it’s very close,” said FSD in NYC.
“It behaves almost disturbingly human-like.”
Notably, however, the drive was done on a clear day, not at night or during rain.
Both Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and less intelligent Autopilot systems rely only on cameras, with the brand’s vehicles no longer having radar.
They also don’t have LiDAR, technology that has been introduced by the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Chinese brands like Nio, XPeng and Zeekr.
Full Self-Driving is a Level 2+ autonomous driving system, and not a fully (i.e. Level 5) autonomous system as its name would suggest. Tesla warns it requires active driver supervision.
It’s a more comprehensive driver assist system than Tesla’s Autopilot, and brings with it the ability – at least in North America at present – to navigate city streets and make turns at intersections without driver input.
FSD will also stop for traffic lights and stop signs.
Tesla offers the option of what it calls Full Self-Driving capability outside of North America but, in Australia for example, vehicles with that option ticked don’t have auto-steer functionality.
They do, however, receive traffic light and stop sign detection not found in the brand’s Autopilot system.
The option costs $10,100 here.
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