A limited number of Tesla Cybertrucks have been granted the capability to drive hands-free on US highways following a recent update from the automaker. This update marks a significant milestone for Tesla, as the Cybertruck becomes the first vehicle in the Tesla lineup to receive the “end-to-end on highway” driving feature. The company’s AI head, Ashok Elluswamy, announced the news, stating that the feature utilizes a “neural net” to navigate all aspects of highway driving. Tesla CEO Elon Musk praised the achievement, calling it “nice work.”
Early Access Feature
The hands-free driving feature appears to be in “early access,” meaning it is currently only available to a select group of Cybertruck owners who have purchased the feature. It remains unclear when Tesla will make the feature more widely accessible to all Cybertruck owners. Notably, Tesla, which dismantled its public relations team in 2021, did not respond to requests for comment on the update.
Safety Precautions
Tesla’s owner’s manuals emphasize that the full-self-driving feature, known as “FSD (Supervised),” should only be used while drivers are actively paying attention to the road. The feature is designed to turn off if it detects that drivers are not focused on the task of driving. Critics have raised concerns that Tesla’s marketing may mislead drivers into believing that the FSD feature can fully operate the vehicle without human intervention. Additionally, there have been criticisms that Tesla has not taken sufficient measures to prevent driver misuse of the technology.
Subscription Model
Customers who purchased base model Cybertrucks early on, during the pre-order phase, paid $7,000 for access to the hands-free driving feature. Some customers waited nearly a year for the feature to become available on their trucks. Tesla now offers a subscription option for the FSD (Supervised) feature at $99 per month, allowing owners to access the feature without the upfront purchase cost.
User Experience
Initial feedback from Cybertruck drivers who have tested the hands-free driving feature has been positive, with reports indicating that the feature is functioning well. This positive response is a welcome development for the Cybertruck, which has encountered challenges during its introduction into Tesla’s vehicle lineup. Delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and engineering issues have plagued the vehicle’s production timeline.
Future Outlook
As other automakers enter the race towards electrification, Tesla aims to maintain its competitive edge by focusing on self-driving features enabled by AI technology. CEO Elon Musk has emphasized the importance of autonomy in Tesla’s overall value proposition. The company’s commitment to advancing self-driving technology is evident in its efforts to introduce innovative features like the hands-free driving capability on the Cybertruck.
Regulatory Concerns
However, Tesla’s approach to self-driving technology has not been without controversy. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has raised concerns about the safety of Tesla’s Autopilot feature, an earlier version of the FSD feature. The agency found that Autopilot did not adequately prevent driver misuse and was linked to several fatal crashes. In response, Tesla has recalled millions of vehicles with Autopilot features.
Legal Challenges
Tesla also faces legal challenges related to its marketing of self-driving capabilities. A class action lawsuit alleges that the company misled customers by promising fully autonomous driving capabilities that were not yet available. Despite significant advancements in driverless technology, Tesla has yet to deliver on its promise of fully autonomous vehicles. The company’s upcoming unveiling of the self-driving taxi, dubbed the Cybercab, at an event in Southern California is eagerly anticipated.
In conclusion, Tesla’s introduction of the hands-free driving feature on the Cybertruck represents a significant step forward in the company’s pursuit of autonomous driving technology. While the feature has garnered positive feedback from early users, questions remain about the safety and regulatory implications of self-driving features in Tesla vehicles. As Tesla continues to innovate in the electric vehicle market, the development of self-driving technology will play a crucial role in shaping the company’s future success.
