Tesla's FSD Gets a Rebrand and Moves Out of Beta
Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) tech might be under scrutiny from several angles, but the automaker is pushing forward with a plan to bring the system out of beta and into the mainstream. The latest FSD release, version 12, included a name change for the feature, from Full Self-Driving Beta to Full Self-Driving (Supervised), but Tesla’s lack of a public relations department means we don’t have much to go on outside of the name.
The move seems to be motivated, at least in part, by the criticism leveled at Tesla for its branding of the tech. The chair of the NTSB, Jennifer Homendy, said the FSD name is “misleading and irresponsible,” and at least one state has filed complaints for false advertisement.
The automaker’s FSD language appears to take steps to address those concerns. Tesla’s website states, “The currently enabled features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous. The activation and use of these features are dependent on achieving reliability far in excess of human drivers as demonstrated by billions of miles of experience, as well as regulatory approval, which may take longer in some jurisdictions. As these self-driving features evolve, your car will be continuously upgraded through software features."
Regulatory scrutiny or not, Tesla is poised to broaden the reach of FSD. It recently rolled out a new trial program that enables the tech in every capable vehicle with a one-month free trial.
[Image: Shutterstock]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Ah, so now it's "supervised" FSD. That'll fix it.
Musk is doubling down on stupid.
"Full Self-Driving (Supervised)"
...
Green Grapes (Red)
Hot Coffee (Iced)
Wool Pants (Polyester)
Clearly, the need for "supervision" is a plan to find work for the perennially unemployed clogging our street corners, Walmart parking lots and bodegas.
Tesla will run a three week training course in Supervision 101 and deliver them to the owner with a three month guarantee, vaccine passport and phrase book.
Obviously there will be a period of adjustment for the owner, but with all of his attention now free for books, television and Yahtzee he can see the long term benefits accruing.