Summary/Reader Response Draft #2

  Electric Vehicles

The electrifying technology behind Electric Vehicles (EVs), specifically Tesla models, have driven the transition towards solutions for automated transportation (Armstrong, 2023). In the area of vehicle automation, the Autopilot system, developed by Tesla, leads the charge for the future of cars and transportation by merging cutting-edge hardware with advanced software. Autopilot is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that enhances safety and convenience when driving. At its core, Autopilot employs 8 external cameras, ultrasonic sensors, radar, and a powerful onboard computer to perceive and interpret the surrounding environment (Tesla, n.d).

Its key features include Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) that adjusts the cruising speed of the vehicle to match surrounding traffic, Autosteer to assist with steering on vehicular roads, and navigate on Autopilot to enable automated lane changes and highway interchanges. In addition to these driving-assist features, Autopilot also includes several advanced safety technologies, such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward and Side Collision Warning and Obstacle Aware Acceleration (Tesla, n.d).  While a driver must remain behind the wheel, Autopilot allows the vehicle to drive autonomously with minimal driver intervention, reducing the overall workload of a driver through partial vehicle automation (Tesla, n.d).

With the current advancements in artificial intelligence and breakthroughs in technology, Tesla’s Full Self Drive (FSD) may change the way commercial cars drive in the future. However, the current state of FSD proves that there are limitations, such as the constant need for updates to the system, lack of human instincts and a high entry to market price point. This proves that FSD is not ready to replace humans in driving.

Based on data from the webpage “Fsd-Beta” by “not a tesla app”(n.d) states that there have been 82 updates rolled out to Tesla users since FSD beta was first introduced in late 2020. However, even with constant updates being made to improve the systems of Teslas and software improvements to FSD, FSD still falls short with system errors. “Tesla is voluntarily recalling 362,758 vehicles equipped with the company’s experimental driver-assistance software, which is marketed as Full Self-Driving Beta or FSD Beta, in the US, according to a recall notice out Thursday.” (Kolodny, 2023). This article by CNBC further elaborates the safety issues that were caused by FSD’s software issues, such examples includes “Act unsafe around intersections, such as travelling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop-sign controlled intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution.” (Kolodny, 2023). With such safety concerns, FSD should not be so eager to leave beta, which Tesla has plans on doing so late 2023.

Regarding safety issues, Tesla has amounted to a whopping 736 crashes in just the U.S alone since 2019, all which are found using autopilot mode. The article mentions that technology is not the cause, should there be a crash that involves the use of driver-assistance. “NHTSA reminds the public that all advanced driver assistance systems require human driver to be in control and fully engaged in the driving task at all times. Accordingly, all state laws hold the human driver responsible for the operation of their vehicles.” (NHTSA, 2022). In a research done by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Tesla's FSD and Autopilot features have been involved in far more incidents than driver-assistance systems from all other manufacturers combined.” (NHTSA, 2023). The article states that Tesla’s FSD “disobey traffic lights, stop signs and speed limits.” (Siddiqui and Merrill, 2023). With all these risks that come with being technology dependent, it is still more reliable to rely on human instincts which FSD could not replicate.

Furthermore, the need to pay for FSD may repel consumers from using such features. The cost of having FSD implemented into your very own Tesla would set you back $12,000 (USD) or a monthly subscription which costs $199/month when upgrading from Basic Autopilot, and $99/month when upgrading from Enhanced Autopilot to FSD capability. (Tesla, n.d).  Through an article from smartwealth, it is deduced that an average income in Singapore is S$5070 (not including CPF) which is roughly $3709.41 USD. (Abram, 2023). This would mean that to be able to enjoy the perks of FSD, it will set you back more than 3 months worth of pay on a one time payment. If the consumer subscribes to the services, it would still run them 2.6% to 5.3% of their monthly pay. This is a hefty sum which not every consumer would be able to afford.

With that being said, Tesla’s autopilot system works wonders when on long drives and on highways, making long drives bearable for the driver. “”It can be a huge cognitive relief. Long trips can take a mental toll,” Heckman said, noting that he’s used Autopilot on previous road trips and discovered he could drive further without getting tired.” (Grace, 2023). The article confirms the benefits of being able to rely on technology while being on long drives.

In conclusion, Tesla's autopilot proves to alleviate driver's workload and make driving on long trips bearable. However, with the safety concerns that autopilot imposes, it proves that autopilot should not replace human driving and should only be used as an aid to the driver.

Armstrong, K. (2023). Tesla Pioneers the Future: How Autonomous Cars Will Transform Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/1353/tesla-pioneers-the-future-how-electric-and-autonomous-cars-will-transform-car-ownership-and-transportation. 

Tesla. (n.d). Autopilot. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/support/autopilot.

Kay, G. (2023, January 7). A Tesla driver took a 6,392-mile road trip using Autopilot and Full Self-Driving software — there were some hiccups. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-driver-road-trip-using-full-self-driving-autopilot-fsd-2023-1


Kolodny, L. (2023, February 16). Tesla recalls 362,758 vehicles, says Full Self-Driving Beta software may cause crashes. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/16/tesla-recalls-362758-vehicles-says-full-self-driving-beta-software-may-cause-crashes.html


Lim, A. (2023). Average Median Income/Salary in Singapore by Age, etc [2023]. SmartWealth Singapore. https://smartwealth.sg/average-income-salary-singapore/#:~:text=The%20median%20monthly%20salary%20in,or%20US%2445%2C066%2Fyear).&text=From%202021%20to%202022%2C%20the,median%20income%20increased%20by%2045.7%25.


Siddiqui, F., & Merrill, J. B. (2023, June 13). 17 fatalities, 736 crashes: The shocking toll of Tesla’s Autopilot. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/06

/10/tesla-autopilot-crashes-elon-musk/


Standing General Order on Crash Reporting | NHTSA. (n.d.). NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/standing-general-order-crash-reporting


Tesla FSD beta news, software update release notes and statistics. (n.d.). Not a Tesla App. https://www.notateslaapp.com/fsd-beta/

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