Under constant analysis and improvement, Tesla’s Autopilot function incorporates a revolutionary development in the industry – the ability of vehicles to self-navigate through certain roads semi-autonomously. Here’s how Tesla cars achieve this remarkable feat:Here’s how Tesla cars achieve this remarkable feat:
Hardware: Tesla cars are fitted with various cameras, sensor technology and radar which makes it able to perceive the environment it is in. All of these sensors give the vehicle its ‘situational’ awareness of what is happening around the vehicle – for example, other vehicles and pedestrians, road signs and markings, or obstacles to travel.
Software: It should be noted here that the Autopilot is a software that Tesla has designed and which uses algorithms and Artificial Intelligence to interpret data gathered from sensors and make specific decisions in cars that have the function enabled. It also learns by updating through the air, so that the Tesals cars are also improving and adapting to the change on the roads in real time.
Autonomous Features: Autopilot feature is among the driving automation options available in Tesla cars which include adaptive cruise control, automatic lane change as well as lane alignment. These features enable the vehicle to keep a constant momentum, stay between specified lines, and drive in long routes with a little involvement of the driver.
Driver Monitoring: Tesla has Autopilot and whereas this helps the car to perform certain driving functions on its own, it does not mean that the driver will not be needed to intervene in cases. Tesla vehicles are designed to maintain a high level of awareness of the road and the driver’s attention to the wheel for drivers who may still be distracted while driving the car.
Future Developments: Tesla has been at the forefront in developing the autonomous driving capabilities for cars, and it continues to do so as more features are planned for future software updates. This can be seen in their current development that is mainly focused on the full self-driving automation of Tesla cars which will basically enable the Tesla cars to autonomously drive to the city streets, avoid accidents and undertake complex intersections.
Although the Autopilot feature by Tesla has come as a great improvement towards the objective of fully autonomous driving, it is also important to note that Tesla drivers are unable to relax fully relying on the features hence need to monitor them continuously. But on the other hand as we look towards a future where we are able to watch our cars drive to the grocery store or the office while we head off to a meeting and with an increase in Tesla’s autonomous features the cars are likely to drive themselves one day soon.