Tesla AI just released a video showcasing FSD (Supervised), running on a RHD HW4 Tesla Model 3 in Melbourne, Australia.
It’s exciting to see this, as Australians waited, watching the US take their turn, followed by Canada, Mexico, and China. It’s great that it is finally coming to Australia.
Tesla released FSD Beta to the first customer vehicles in October 2020. For those of us who have watched the progress on YouTube, it has felt like an extremely long 4.5 years.
Many (including myself) have purchased the FSD Software Upgrade. While this has provided some benefits, the biggest one, navigating the city streets, has remained elusive, until now.
Tesla posted a job in Australia for test drivers back in February of this year. This was a clear indication that they were cooking up something.
We see a disclaimer at the bottom of the video
FSD (Supervised). Engineering test drive in a vehicle prototype driven by a safety-driver. For demonstration only.
FSD (Supervised), is a feature that requires the driver to be in constant control of the vehicle.
Future activation and usage subject to regulatory approval and development.
In the video we see the rider (aka driver) start the drive by tapping the touchscreen. The care navigates and indicates on the street.
FSD takes on one of the toughest challenges in Melbourne, a hook-turn. It’s great to see Tesla take on this challenge head-on.
There has also been a lot discussed about the difficulties of accommodating a RHD marketplace, given that all previous FSD market have been LHD. We don’t know whether the Tesla AI team has created a separate RHD-model, or if they have a model that can switch context. However, based on this video, it appears the system is working extremely well.
Naturally, I’m very eager to try this out on my own car.
The video shows the car successfully navigating the streets in Melbourne, avoiding other cars, bicycles, pedestrians, and more.
The car pulls into the front entrance of Crown Casino at the end of the drive. It is not parked in the street but rather, it is parked right up to the door, as if the car was waiting for a robotaxi.
Tesla is the only company currently creating a solution that consumers can buy.
Other automakers’ solutions like Waymo and GM Super Cruise as well as Ford’s Blue Cruise do not plan to ship to Australia. This is mainly due to the high cost of creating HD maps before their technical approach will work.
Tesla is unique with its vision-only approach. Expanding to RHD markets is another recognition of the strength of selecting an end-toend computer vision approach.
Below you can see a detailed breakdown of the video.
Tesla’s Full-Self-Driving capability costs A$10100. When Tesla introduces FSD to a new market, a monthly subscription is usually an option. This allows more Tesla owners the opportunity to participate. We can expect to see free trials in the future.
It will be interesting to see when this video is on the first Tesla cars. I hope it’s soon. I also hope Tesla opens up the Early Access Program for local customers.
Let us know if you think this will increase your chances of purchasing a Tesla or FSD in Australia.
