Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ incapable of self-driving?

Tesla lawyers admit the NZ$11,400 option that Tesla sells as Full Self-Driving Capability is incapable of full self-driving.

“Currently neither Autopilot nor FSD Capability is an autonomous system,” Tesla attorney Eric Williams tells California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), although that could change, he adds, Stuff reports.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has been tweeting plans for a major Full Self-Driving software release.

But Williams tells the DMV “we do not expect significant enhancements” that would allow full self-driving, and that the “final release” of a current feature package that lets Teslas stop at traffic lights and turn left and right without human input “will continue to be an SAE Level 2, advanced driver-assist feature”.

That means the vehicle cannot drive itself, at any time, without constant attention from a human driver.

The emails were revealed after a public records request from the transparency advocacy organisation Plainsite.

They show the DMV questioning Tesla about its claims around Full Self-Driving technology and asking the company why it has not applied for a driverless vehicle test permit, as six other automakers and tech companies have done.

Musk has been selling buyers on the idea that with autonomous technology, Tesla vehicles will appreciate in value.

Tesla has no media relations department and could not be reached for comment, Stuff says.