(Newswire.net — March 6, 2021) — The world around us is getting more and more automated. We have robot vacuums that get stuck in awkward places in the house. We have algorithms monitoring our internet content, which can be beaten using SocialWick. We have planes that have been flying themselves for years, but we still need a pilot to land them. The latest addition to automation is Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD). The price for this feature was quite a hefty tag, but according to CEO Elon Musk, things might be changing soon.
Full Self Driving
According to the official website of car manufacturer Tesla, their FSD feature, as part of their auto-pilot, does not allow the vehicle to be completely independent. It has been available since 2014 and has come a long way since. The idea first came to their CEO and early investor Elon Musk around 2013, where he compared the idea with automated flights.
Tesla uses a neural system (a system that mimics human neural networks) to achieve FSD, by training it on the behavior of humans as they drive. The vehicles are fitted with sensors to detect light and radar, and the AI is able to stitch together all the data it is able to gather to make its driving decisions. As of April 2020, Tesla’s AI has observed 3 billion miles of Tesla vehicles driven in real life, as opposed to simulated miles that every other autopilot software uses for training.
At the moment, the cost of adding this feature to a Tesla vehicle is a once in a lifetime price of $10,000. Hoping to persuade more drivers to use their feature, Tesla has proposed a monthly subscription which will be more manageable, but not as cost-effective in the long run. Several rumors have been going around about this subscription service. According to tweets by Musk, drivers can expect to start subscriptions in July this year. However, this is considered a delay, as he had previously tweeted an earlier launch date.
This move by the electric vehicle manufacturer is expected to gain some popularity, even if it is ultimately more expensive than paying a one-time fee. However, it might give drivers an option to try the system before committing to a purchase.
Tesla And Elon Musk
South African business magnate Elon Musk is one of the founding investors of the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla. He is also the founder of the aerospace manufacturer SpaceX. At the time of writing, he was estimated to be the richest person on earth, with an estimated net worth of $184 Billion.
Musk contributed a large sum of the first capital for Tesla’s launch and has been CEO since 2008. He is an influential contemporary public figure, often having a substantial impact on the stock market, even with a single tweet. He is also the founder (or co-founder) of other companies such as Neuralink, OpenAI, X.com, and others.
Safety Concerns Regarding FSD
Tesla’s self-driving system has been praised by those who tried it, but as with any automation, there are concerns. Safety is a major concern, especially as monitored drivers were observed sleeping or texting at the wheel. Tesla might stress that its vehicles are not completely autonomous, but their marketing approach might be misleading to many. Preliminary data on safety statistics of auto-pilot is still unclear. Hence, drivers using this feature should always be attentive and alert in case of any emergencies.
Regardless of the safety concerns that many may have, there are millions of fans awaiting the next move from Tesla. A monthly subscription might be able to popularize the feature more, and thus helping its development.