Summary / Reader Response Draft #4

 Electric Vehicles

 

The electrifying technology behind Electric Vehicles (EVs), specifically Tesla models, has driven the transition toward 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), which adjusts the cruising speed of the vehicle to match surrounding traffic, Autosteer, to assist with steering on vehicular roads, and navigate with Autopilot, which enables 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 shows limitations, such as the constant need for system updates, lack of human instincts and a high entry to market price point. This shows that FSD is not ready to replace humans in driving.

 

82 updates have been rolled out to Tesla users since FSD beta's first introduction in late 2020 (Fsd-Beta, n.d.). However, even with constant updates being made to improve the systems of FSD, it still encounters 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 shows that there could be potential safety risks or malfunctions that need addressing in the system itself.

 

The article by (Kolodny, 2023) further elaborates on the safety concerns raised 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". With such safety concerns, FSD should not be so eager to leave beta.

 

Regarding safety issues, Tesla has amounted to 736 crashes in just the U.S alone since 2019, all which were found using autopilot mode. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2022) mentions that technology is not the cause, should there be a crash that involves the use
of driver-assistance. However, the correlation between these accidents and the use of autopilots raises concerns about the integration of advanced technology without human instincts. Highlighting potential challenges in how users interact with automated driving features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasizes that for all advanced driver assistance systems, it is essential for human drivers to maintain control and remain fully attentive while driving. Consequently, the responsibility for the operation of their vehicles is held by human drivers, as mandated by state laws (NHTSA, 2022). According to research done by 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). Tesla’s FSD “disobeyed traffic lights, stop signs and speed limits” (Siddiqui and Merrill, 2023). With all these risks that come with being technology dependent, human instinct is something FSD cannot replicate.

 

Furthermore, the price of FSD may repel consumers from using such features. The cost of having FSD implemented into one’s own Tesla would set the buyer 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.). Abraham (2023) from smartwealth stated that it can be deduced that an average monthly 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 one back more than 3 months' worth of pay on a onetime payment. If the consumer subscribes to the services, it will still run them 2.6% to 5.3% of their monthly pay. This is a 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 (Kay, 2023). “It can be a huge cognitive relief. Long trips can take a mental toll,” Heckman said, noting that he had used Autopilot on previous road trips and discovered he could drive further without getting tired” (Kay, 2023). The article confirms the benefits of being able to rely on technology while being on long drives. 

 

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

 



References 


- Armstrong, K. (2023). Tesla pioneers the future: How autonomous cars will transform transportation. Not a Tesla App. Retrieved from https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/1353/tesla-pioneers-the-future-how-electric-and-autonomous-cars-will-transform-car-ownership-and-transportation 


- 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. 


- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Standing General Order on Crash Reporting. https://www.nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/standing-general-order-crash-reporting


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


 - 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/


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

 


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