Autonomous Driving Revolution Coming to New Zealand as Tesla Unveils Its Innovation

Tesla has made a significant stride in the autonomous vehicle market by introducing its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, known as FSD-S, in New Zealand. The system, which was officially unveiled in early 2023, marks a step forward from the company's existing Autopilot feature.

The FSD-S system is available first on the latest models equipped with 'Hardware 4'. This advanced technology relies on eight exterior cameras and Tesla's in-house FSD computer for visual data processing and building a 3D model of the road. Unlike many competitors, Tesla does not incorporate lidar or radar into its FSD-S system.

FSD-S is classified as a Level 2 driver-assist system, meaning the driver must remain in control and is legally responsible at all times. The system is designed for complex driving environments, including city streets, turns, traffic signals, intersections, and roundabouts. While it goes beyond Tesla's existing Autopilot feature, which primarily handles highway driving, it still requires a person to be "in control" of a vehicle.

To ensure driver attentiveness, an infrared camera in the system monitors the driver's head and eye movement. If inattention is detected, alerts are escalated, and the feature may potentially be disabled. It's worth noting that currently, New Zealand does not mandate "hands-on-wheel" operation.

The initial rollout of FSD-S prioritizes the latest Model 3 and Model Y vehicles equipped with 'Hardware 4'. Existing Full Self-Driving package purchasers are expected to be first in line for the FSD-S update. Tesla is also considering a 30-day free trial for new deliveries of FSD-S.

The expansion of FSD-S into New Zealand and Australia contributes to the global autonomous vehicle market, which analysts predict could exceed US$800 billion by 2035. Tesla is positioning both countries as among the first right-hand-drive markets to receive the system, alongside Australia.

In a recent development, the FSD-S system was renamed from "Full Self-Driving (Beta)" to "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" in April 2024, due to global backlash over the use of the "Full Self-Driving" name. Tesla is also exploring options for a subscription model for FSD-S. However, no released date for the introduction of FSD-S in New Zealand has been announced yet.

The introduction of FSD-S in New Zealand is a significant step for Tesla and the autonomous vehicle industry. As the technology continues to evolve, it's expected that we'll see more advancements in the coming years, bringing us closer to fully autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous Driving Revolution Coming to New Zealand as Tesla Unveils Its Innovation