Beyond the Highway: Tesla’s Self‑Driving Test Drive
In a single 360‑mile trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Tesla’s Full‑Self‑Driving (FSD) system ran a near‑continuous drive, pausing only at a Supercharger for a battery top‑up.
What makes the video noteworthy is that, while the vehicle appeared to operate autonomously—accelerate on approach, change lanes, find the exit—it complied with California law by keeping a human in the driver’s seat. The engineer sat hands‑on‑lap, eyes on the road, ready to intervene. A driver‑facing camera continually scanned the passenger, ensuring vigilance during motion.
Exploring the FSD Capabilities
- Route Handling – The car executed a full 7‑hour itinerary, consummating the entire trip in less time than it normally takes.
- Parking & Stop – At the Supercharger it automated the parking sequence, then resumed its navigation.
- Human Override – Tesla’s safety protocol required a seat‑occupied pilot, preventing the system from being classified as Level 5 automation.
Regulatory Context
Despite the impressive demonstration, the FSD system is officially regarded as a Level 2 driver assistance device in the United States—an intermediary stage that mandates a human driver to supervise and be ready to take control. Regulators have not yet allowed Tesla vehicles to operate fully autonomously on public roads.
Future Outlook
Elon Musk announced that Tesla is training an advanced FSD model that could see a public release by the end of September if the trials succeed. While the robotaxi debut in Austin, Texas, utilized an exclusive FSD variant, the service in San Francisco remains restricted; the lack of permits means it cannot be marketed as a true robotaxi, consequently the human‑seat requirement persists.
This latest supervised drive underscores Tesla’s ambition: to someday eliminate the need for driver presence entirely—until the regulatory and technical gaps are bridged.
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