8. READER RESPONSE DRAFT 4 (last edited on 29/11)

 As stated on Tesla’s support webpage, “Autopilot is an advanced driver assistance system that enhances safety and convenience behind the wheel.” However, the Tesla Autopilot system requires the driver’s attention, and it does not make the vehicle autonomous (Tesla, 2024). All newly purchased Tesla vehicles come equipped with the basic autopilot system, which includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) and the Autosteer feature, providing the most basic form of driver assistance (Find My Electric, n.d.). Tesla customers can also opt for the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package at an additional cost. This upgraded package includes features such as Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, Summon, Smart Summon, Autosteer on City Streets, and Traffic and Stop Sign Control (Armstrong, 2023). Despite the fact that names like “Autopilot,” “Autopark,” and “Full Self-Driving,” suggest autonomy, these systems are not fully autonomous and require a driver who is attentive and ready to take over the vehicle completely if necessary (Tesla, 2024).

Though the system comes with its own set of limitations, Tesla’s driver assistance system boasts an array of advanced features which not only enhances driver safety but also reduces their workload.

The advanced features of the basic Tesla’s autopilot system allow it to enhance the driver’s safety. The features of the basic autopilot system include Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) and Autosteer, which help the car maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and keep it centred within its own lane (Find My Electric, n.d.). TACC utilises radar and front-facing cameras to monitor the vehicle ahead, and adjust the vehicle’s speed accordingly, thereby ensuring a safe following distance. Autosteer relies on cameras and sensors to track road markings and keep the vehicle centred. These features, coupled with the constant monitoring of the vehicle’s surroundings through external peripherals such as sensors and cameras, enable collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking, thereby providing an additional layer of safety (Ian, 2024). With these features, the system is able detect potential hazards and avoid collisions; it does so by applying the brakes automatically in critical situations. Additionally, the system can automatically correct the vehicle’s path if the driver veers out of their lane, further enhancing safety. Tesla does reiterate the need for driver’s attention and readiness to take control at any moment even with the safety features (Tesla, 2024). To reduce risks due to drivers not being focused on the road, Tesla vehicles display graphical and audio warnings through the instrument panel should the system deem the driver to not be attentive. Depending on the vehicle model, if the driver ignores the warnings repeatedly for three to five times, the Autopilot system will be deactivated and not be usable for a period of roughly one week (Tesla, 2024). All in all, the Autopilot system has multiple ways in which it enhances the safety of the driver.

In terms of convenience, the features of the Tesla’s basic autopilot system is able to reduce driver fatigue and workload, especially during long journeys. Drivers can set a preferred speed with TACC, allowing the system to manage speed, make minor adjustments and maintain a safe following distance, this feature is useful for heavy traffic conditions (Ian, 2024). The Autosteer feature helps to keep the vehicle centred within its own lane, and it also assists with lane changing and parking, making driving less stressful (Tung, n.d.). Often, making judgments when changing lanes or parking can be really challenging for drivers; however, the need for driver judgement is reduced significantly due to the Autosteer feature. Altogether, the added convenience allows drivers to be more focused on the critical aspects of driving while the system can oversee the finer aspects of it, making driving significantly easier.

At the same time, the Autopilot system does have its own set of limitations. External factors such as adverse weather conditions, which include heavy rain, snow, or fog, can negatively impact the functionality of the sensors and cameras, thereby reducing the system’s effectiveness (Tesla, 2024). Furthermore, extreme temperatures can also negatively affect the performance of the sensors. Common issues such as faded road markings can confuse the Autopilot system at times. However, Tesla has released software updates to improve its ability to detect worn out lane markings (Sarwar, 2024). Despite the updates, the system remains fallible, and the driver must be focused to be able to intervene when necessary.

In conclusion, Tesla’s Autopilot system is a great technological leap in the automotive industry as it able to enhance driver safety while providing convenience at the same time. The features of the system not only make driving easier but also contribute to a safer driving environment by reducing the likelihood of accidents due to human error. The limitations of the system show that there is room for improvement and that it is not a fully autonomous driving system. For instance, common issues such adverse weather or road conditions can cause the Autopilot system to not be able to work as intended. To sum it up, even though the Autopilot system is not flawless, it is an extremely useful system that modern drivers benefit from.

References

Armstrong, K. (5 September, 2023). Tesla FSD Cost and Price Increase History. not a tesla app. https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/958/tesla-fsd-price-increase-history

Find My Electric. (n.d.). Tesla Autopilot – The ultimate guide. Find My Electric. https://www.findmyelectric.com/tesla-autopilot-ultimate-guide/

Ian. (3 June, 2024). How Does Tesla Autopilot Work? pressfarm. https://press.farm/how-does-tesla-autopilot-work/

Sarwar, N. (4 May, 2024). This Tesla Autopilot limitation has drivers worried: here's why. Slash Gear. https://www.slashgear.com/1572681/tesla-auto-pilot-faded-lines-flaw/

Tesla. (2024). Autopilot and full self-driving (Supervised). https://www.tesla.com/support/autopilot

Tung, M. (n.d.). How it Works: Tesla's Autopilot Self-Driving Automobile Technology. jameco. https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/Howitworks/how-it-works-tesla-autopilot-self-driving-automobile-technology.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqhklLtgvnDGqArksi4YwvizUASflY8OuTceJ8tEVn0p2sF-f6_

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