I lastly received an opportunity to check out Tesla Full Self-Driving (supervised) v12.5 myself, and my first impression is that the system drives extra naturally, however it’s nonetheless harmful.
Vigilance is paramount.
Yesterday, I lastly acquired a software program replace on my Tesla Mannequin 3 that learn ‘v12.5’ (12.5.2.1, to be precise).
I had been ready for it for some time. You see, name me naive, however when Tesla CEO Elon Musk mentioned final 12 months that FSD updates on HW4 (newer Tesla automobiles) would lag about 6 months behind HW3 (older Tesla automobiles), I believed him:
It made sense. He promised unsupervised self-driving on thousands and thousands of HW3 automobiles for years. It is smart that Tesla focuses on delivering on the promise for these older automobiles with much less computing energy earlier than beginning to make the most of the upper computing energy on newer HW4 automobiles.
Nevertheless, that didn’t occur.
Earlier this 12 months, Musk promised important enhancements to FSD rolling each two weeks:
However I received FSD v12.3.6 on HW3 Tesla Mannequin 3 on the time and didn’t obtain any extra FSD replace for six months.
As a substitute, Musk admitted that Tesla now must optimize its FSD code to work on older HW3 automobiles, and HW4 automobiles are getting extra updates sooner – signaling Tesla is reaching the bounds of the {hardware} on older automobiles regardless of guarantees made.
Whereas this case has significantly scale back my hopes of Tesla ever delivering on its promise of reaching self-driving on thousands and thousands of automobiles offered since 2016, I used to be nonetheless excited to see this within the launch notes on my automotive after an replace this week:
Yesterday, I needed to drive from Shawinigan to Trois-Rivieres (25 miles) and again. It was alternative to check out the system on each floor streets and highways.
My first impression is that there are important enhancements in driving consolation. It drives far more naturally; the auto pace mode characteristic helps lots. It drives at a pace that is smart for the street somewhat than sticking to the pace limits plus or minus what you inform it.
The brand new driver monitoring system, which is vision-based somewhat than sending alerts asking you to tug on the wheels though you might be holding it, additionally helps make the system really feel extra pure.
Now, when you don’t sit up for the street for just a few seconds, you get an alert on the display to concentrate to the street, which matches away when you carry your consideration again to it or give inputs to the steering wheel.
These have been the primary modifications. I didn’t see a big enchancment in efficiency, however the system is not less than extra pleasant to make use of now. It makes utilizing Tesla FSD much less like a job and extra like a characteristic, which is a welcomed change after greater than two years of “FSD Beta” and now “Supervised FSD”.
I needed to disengage the system as I used to be approaching my vacation spot as a result of the automotive insisted on going into the precise lane once I wanted to be on the left to cease. This was a minor annoyance, however a disengagement nonetheless.
On the best way again, the automotive slowed down from my set pace on the freeway for seemingly no motive. It’s a frequent downside with Tesla FSD that I had in virtually each iteration of the system. it may be harmful on highways, however this time, it solely slowed down by about 5-8 km/h and went again to the set pace in just a few seconds with out having to disengage.
Nevertheless, shortly after, I had a extra important subject that resulted in a crucial disengagement.
I needed to make a left flip right here:
A automotive was coming from the left, nevertheless it was fairly far and never coming quick. I might have executed the flip with out hesitation, however I wasn’t certain if FSD, which is usually on the cautious facet in these turns, would or if it could await the automotive to cross.
It determined to go, nevertheless it was virtually as if it modified its thoughts a 3rd of the best way into the flip because it stopped, or in any case decelerated significantly into the flip; it’s onerous to inform trigger I needed to react quick.
The entrance of the automotive was already in the best way, so I needed to take over and full the flip sooner to verify the upcoming automotive didn’t crash into me.
Up till that time, I used to be fairly impressed by FSD v12.5. It’s reminder that because the tech improves and feels higher, particularly extra pure like this replace, it’s tremendous vital to stay hyper-vigilant. The smoothness of this replace can induce overconfidence, however it’s nonetheless liable to errors, as I used to be shortly reminded.
Electrek’s Take
Whereas I’m impressed and I believe it is a crucial step as FSD is now beginning to really feel like an precise characteristic somewhat than simply homework for Tesla prospects to coach a system that Tesla offered to us years in the past, I nonetheless discover it onerous to see a path from this to unsupervised self-driving, particularly on HW3 automobiles.
Clearly, this was simply my first drive, and I have to spend a bit extra time with the system for a full evaluation, however I had two disengagements, together with a crucial one, in about 50 miles. We’re nonetheless very removed from unsupervised.
My principal worry is that because the system feels higher, like with this replace, extra folks will begin getting complacent with it, which may result in extra accidents. I’m hoping that Tesla’s new driver monitoring system will counter that potential complacency.
What do you assume? Tell us within the remark part beneath.
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