How Does Tesla Autopilot Work?

Since their launch in 2003, Tesla has produced millions of electric vehicles. Increased awareness about climate change and concern for the environment has fueled Tesla’s growth. Tesla has sold more electric vehicles than any other electric car manufacturer. 

Today, the company strives to lead the way with self-driving cars. Self-driving vehicles, called autonomous cars, perform some or all driving functions. The Tesla self-driving system, called Autopilot, was launched in 2014. While many are eager to embrace new technology, some are hesitant. Before investing in a Tesla car with Autopilot, it’s crucial to learn about how it works and the legal implications if you’re in an accident when it is engaged.

What is Tesla autopilot?

Tesla Autopilot started as cameras, sensors, and software. The primary goal of the initial Autopilot system was to offer basic self-driving on highways. Although the name implies that the car can drive itself, the original system needed human interaction. Autopilot’s initial capabilities were limited to centering the vehicle in its lane and maintaining its distance from the vehicle it followed. To that end, Autopilot could adjust the steering and use the brakes.

Evolution of Tesla Autopilot Hardware

The entire Autopilot system relies on a foundation of proprietary Autopilot hardware. Since 2014, Tesla has iterated through several versions to support more advanced features:

• Hardware 1 & 2: Early versions using ultrasonic sensors and radar.
• Hardware 3 (FSD Computer): Launched in 2019, this version runs deep neural networks for trajectory calculations.
• Hardware 4 (HW4): The latest widespread iteration, featuring higher-resolution cameras and improved processing power to support Tesla Vision – a system that relies primarily on visible light cameras rather than radar or ultrasonic sensors.
• Hardware 5 (AI5): Announced for upcoming production, this hardware is expected to offer nearly 40x the performance of HW4, further refining the vehicle’s stop sign recognition and urban navigation.

Degrees of Autonomous Driving

You might be surprised to discover your vehicle offers some autonomous driving capabilities. Autonomous vehicles aren’t limited to full self-drive vehicles. The autonomous car scale encompasses all vehicles, with the scale indicating the degree of functions available.

Level	Description	Example of Autonomous Functions
0	Zero Autonomy	All driving functions are performed manually.
1	Basic Assistance	Limited technological assistance is offered to drivers, such as cruise control functions that maintain vehicle speed.
2	Partial Driving Automation	The vehicle handles some basic functions, like changing vehicle speed and adjusting the steering, but it still needs a driver.
3	Conditional Automation	A driver must be available to resume control if the advanced driving system (ADS) asks them to. Otherwise, the ADS handles all driving tasks.
4	High Automation	Under identified conditions, the ADS controls all driving functions.
5	Full Automation	The ADS can perform all driving functions under any conditions.

Whether the driver can control a Full Automation vehicle depends upon the ADS features offered by the manufacturer. Level 4 and 5 autonomous cars are promoted as vehicles people can use to assume full responsibility while driving, allowing vehicle occupants to relax or engage in other activities while in transit.

Why do consumers want ADS?

Distracted driving is the most common reason for motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Effective autonomous driving vehicles may maintain a level of vigilance that human drivers fail to achieve. Consequently, using a vehicle with ADS could reduce the number and severity of MVAs.

Consumers may also benefit from vehicles with Level 5 ADS because they could perform other tasks in transit. Those traveling for work can reduce their time on the road by sleeping or working en route, while those traveling for leisure can rest while traveling to their destination.

How good is Tesla Autopilot? 

Tesla Autopilot began as a Level 2 ADS. In 2020, the company introduced Teslas with full self-driving (FSD) functions. Although FDS performs additional functions and can operate in more environments, it still relies on input from a driver. The system’s price has risen but remains a Level 2 ADS. 

Basic Autopilot systems operate on highways. The driver should ensure they’re in the right environment before engaging Autopilot. Engaging Autopilot on some models involved shifting the gear lever down. Drivers can activate Autopilot on other models, such as Model X, by pulling the cruise stalk towards themselves. In both cases, shifting the gear level or cruise stalk involved repeating the motion immediately to engage Autopilot. 

Comparing Autopilot Packages: Basic, Enhanced and FSD

Tesla offers three distinct autopilot packages to cater to different driving needs. While all Tesla vehicles produced after April 2019 include basic Autopilot as standard equipment, owners can upgrade for more advanced features:

Feature	Basic Autopilot	Enhanced Autopilot (EAP)	Full Self-Driving (Supervised)
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control	Included	Included	Included
Autosteer	Included	Included	Included
Auto Lane Change	No	Included	Included
Navigate on Autopilot	No	Included	Included
Autopark & Smart Summon	No	Included	Included
Stop Sign Control	No	No	Included
Traffic Light Recognition	No	No	Included

Tesla’s Approach: Dojo and Neural Networks

Tesla’s approach to achieving full autonomy is unique. Unlike competitors that use lidar, Tesla uses a supercomputer called Dojo to train neural networks with billions of miles of video data from current Tesla owners. This training allows the vehicle to learn from the behavior of a human driver, improving lane keeping and collision avoidance through over-the-air software updates.

How safe is Tesla Autopilot?

People want to stay safe on the roads, so safety ratings are one of the primary things consumers consider when purchasing vehicles. With more companies investing in self-driving technology, it’s natural for consumers to wonder how self-driving vehicles affect their liability and whether they pose safety risks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that between July 2021 and May 2022, 69.6% of accidents with self-driving systems engaged involved Teslas. Although those statistics may seem alarming, it’s crucial to note that Tesla crash statistics are reported instantly, while other vehicle manufacturers don’t use real-time data. Consequently, updated reports could reduce Tesla’s percentage. Drivers should note that 392 accidents in 10.5 months is a relatively small number, considering there were more than 400,000 vehicle crashes in Florida in 2021. 

Who’s liable for accidents involving ADS? 

The law can take time to catch up to new technology, so it’s a good idea to consult a car accident attorney before purchasing a self-driving car. Your car accident lawyer can explain your liability if an accident occurs when you’re using Autopilot. 

Car accident attorneys are familiar with changes to transportation laws and ongoing litigation that could impact drivers. Tesla is currently under criminal investigation. Drivers can file lawsuits against Tesla for accidents occurring when Autopilot is engaged, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation could pave the way for more lawsuits.

Anyone involved in an accident with a car using Tesla Autopilot should contact an experienced car accident lawyer who can review their case and explain their legal rights. Your legal team will explain your rights and potential liability if your vehicle caused the accident. If another driver’s self-driving vehicle is at fault, your attorney will determine whether you can take legal action against the driver and vehicle manufacturer. Understanding your legal rights ensures you can take appropriate legal action before the statute of limitations expires. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)