Tesla Automation - Summary Readers Response Draft #1

The autopilot system in vehicles benefits driver in the modern day according to Ohnsman (2013)  "Autopilot systems in cars help enhance safety and convenience for driver"

The “Full Self-Driving Capability” (FSD) is an advanced autopilot driver-assistance incorporated with partial vehicle automation software that helps with road navigation and driverless parking (Tesla, n.d.). Scullion (2023) mentioned Tesla’s autopilot driving technology albeit FSD, driving requires attention and supervision as FSD features do not make the vehicle fully autonomous. Tesla integrates Level 0 to 5 driving automation. Synopsys (n.d.) elaborates that all level 0 vehicles are manually controlled with the driver navigating through the road. Systems such as emergency braking do not qualify as automation.
Level 1 features one automated system, specifically adaptive cruise control which assists in steering or accelerating while monitoring the safety distance of the car ahead. Level 2 semi driving automation controls both steering and acceleration/deceleration while the driver pays close attention to the road. Synopsys (n.d.) iterated that Level 3 consists of “environmental detection” functionalities with the ability to make decisions of acceleration/deceleration past a vehicle. Level 4 is considered high driving technology which can override the driver in the event of car system failure. Lastly, level 5 allows the car to drive independently through any “dynamic driving task” with minimal human attention. It is fully autonomous with “steering or acceleration/braking pedals” functionalities.

Since September 2014, Tesla vehicles Model S and X have been outfitted with autopilot hardware, improving the driving experience and reducing collision risks. Initial versions included features like "Autosteer" and "adaptive cruise control", supported by Bosch radar and sonar sensors. "The Bosch radar comes with a 525-foot range, and there are 12 sonar sensors with a 16-foot range. This radar acts as the Autopilot sensors that make the key features possible, like detecting traffic for changing lanes."
Subsequent upgrades introduced an "eight-camera array" and "enhanced computing power" for broader visibility and faster processing, aiming to extend "sensor coverage" and vehicle autonomy by Redding (2023)

According to Redding(2023),There are four different type of hardware version, Range from 1.0 to 3.0 , with each upgrade comes with higher and newer technology features installed which result in more reliability and accuracy of the autopilot system.
Autopilot Hardware 1.0, introduced in Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles from September 2014 to October 2016, is now updated to Highway Autopilot with the software version 10.2. This early version of Autopilot includes features like Autosteer, Adaptive Cruise Control, automatic lane changing with turn signal, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Autopark, and Summon. It utilizes a front-facing camera and a Bosch radar with a 525-foot range, alongside 12 sonar sensors with a 16-foot range, although the rear backup camera does not connect to the Autopilot system.
Autopilot Hardware 2.0, released between October 2016 and August 2017, marked the first major upgrade of Tesla's Autopilot system, introducing significant enhancements in range and accuracy. This upgrade included the addition of seven new cameras, resulting in a total of eight cameras around the vehicle to provide 360-degree visibility. The system maintained an eight-camera configuration across all four Autopilot Hardware systems. Improvements also extended to the computing hardware, featuring a new Bosch radar with a 525-foot range, upgraded 12 Sonar Sensors with a 26-foot range, and a more powerful computer system equipped with a Nvidia Parker System-on-Chip and Infineon TriCore CPU, achieving processing speeds up to eight times faster than its predecessor.
The Autopilot Hardware 2.5 system, introduced in Tesla vehicles from August 2017 to March 2019, aimed to enhance driving safety and ease. Despite maintaining the same eight-camera setup, this iteration saw improvements in sensor technology, featuring a Continental Radar with a 558-foot range and 12 Sonar Sensors with a 26-foot range. This incremental upgrade focused on enhanced computing power, laying the groundwork for Full Self-Driving capabilities in future updates.
The Autopilot Hardware 3.0 system, launched in March 2019, is the latest version available in new Tesla vehicles, designed to support Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. It maintains the same camera and sensor configuration as its predecessor but replaces the third-party computer with two Tesla-designed units. This upgrade allows owners of older Autopilot 2.0 and 2.5 systems to access FSD features by purchasing the FSD package, which was initially priced at $1,500 but has since been reduced to $1,000. Despite some public controversy over the upgrade cost, this new system offers significantly faster processing speeds and full self-driving features.

Tesla's advancements in autopilot technology promise to transform travel, improve road safety, and offer driving opportunities for a broader range of individuals. However, the rise of such technologies also poses challenges, including potential job losses in driving professions.

Revise 1: Peer Feedback
Revise 2: Thesis statement


Source:

Elon Musk quote: Bloomberg
Autopilot information: Tesla
Levels of autonomous self-driving: PCMag
Tesla model and software features: CarShtuff
Level 1 - 5 automation :Synopsys

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