Tesla set to debut Full Self-Driving in Australia - our hands-on review!
In a groundbreaking development, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has been trialled in Brisbane, Australia, marking a significant step towards the future of autonomous driving in Australia and New Zealand.
During the trial, the Tesla Model 3, equipped with the FSD system, demonstrated impressive capabilities. The car was seen scooting across multiple lanes in a short amount of time, overtaking slow-moving vehicles on the motorway independently, and navigating big and complicated roundabouts with precision.
Despite being rated as a Level 2 autonomous system, Tesla's FSD operates like a Level 3 technology, providing drivers with a more hands-off driving experience. However, it's important to note that the system requires the driver to remain attentive and ready to take control if needed, as it is a supervised system.
The Model 3 was observed travelling about 10% below the speed limit and reading speed limit signs, applying brakes accordingly. It also indicated right before overtaking a slow-moving truck and beeped if the driver was not paying attention to the road ahead.
One unique aspect of the FSD system is that the car can release itself from a parallel parking spot and continue down the road. However, it does not have a hands-off warning system like other semi-autonomous tech, relying instead on a beeping sound to alert the driver.
Tesla has been charging customers more than $10,000 for the promise of Full Self-Driving capabilities for some time. The company announced plans to launch its FSD system in New Zealand and Australia, with the system becoming available in New Zealand with the update 2025.26.7.10 (FSD version 13.2.9), which introduced supervised FSD capabilities specifically for Australia and New Zealand.
The trial provided an eye-opening experience of what the future of driving might be like in these countries. CarsGuide was among the first to trial the system in Brisbane, Australia earlier this month. The system was described as impressive during the trial, suggesting that autonomous cars are coming sooner than expected.
However, it's crucial to remember that the technology is still in its early stages and requires ongoing refinement and improvement. The FSD system is expected to offer capabilities that have not been passed through a short trial phase in this part of the world.
In conclusion, Tesla's Full Self-Driving system offers a tantalising glimpse into the future of autonomous driving in Australia and New Zealand. While there is still much work to be done, the system's impressive capabilities during the trial suggest that the future of driving could be here sooner than we think.
