Tesla shows Full Self Driving at the Berlin plant
Tesla demonstrates Full Self-Driving on the factory premises in Berlin. For European roads, however, FSD remains a dream of the future.
Autonomously driving Tesla on the factory premises in Grünheide
(Image: Tesla AI)
Is it a glimmer of hope or a rallying cry? With a video showing Full Self Driving (FSD) in action in the Tesla Model Y in Germany, the US car manufacturer is making the hearts of those who want FSD in Europe beat faster. However, the promotional film, which was distributed by Tesla AI via X, takes place solely on private property, more precisely at the Tesla Giga Berlin plant in Grünheide.
According to Tesla, the German production facility has started to drive the finished vehicles automatically coming off the assembly line to their parking spaces outside. What sounds simple in principle, however, is apparently already associated with some minor challenges for the FSD functions, which they have to master. A detailed version shows that the car also has to deal with rolling gates and traffic lights as well as junctions and cross traffic. And in general, the route through the plant appears to be quite winding in several places. In addition, the vehicle first has to reverse into the parking lot for charging.
The wait for FSD in Europe continues
According to plant manager André Thiesig, the autonomous driving function is used 100 percent for all journeys on the factory premises. And he cannot wait for the vehicles to drive with FSD on European roads outside the factory.
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This is, of course, a wish that he probably shares with some Tesla drivers, especially those who have booked the more expensive FSD option with Autopilot. So far, US and Chinese Tesla owners have been able to use monitored FSD. The functions were also recently launched in Australia and New Zealand. In Europe, however, it's a case of waiting. At least there seem to be tests in major European cities, as videos from Tesla recently showed.
Hoping for small improvements
In the summer, there were reports that Tesla was apparently seeking an exemption due to the complex EU regulations. However, rumors that an approval for FSD in the Netherlands could be granted shortly afterward have not yet materialized. Most recently, observers expressed the hope that an amended UNECE regulation might bring improvements, at least for driving on freeways, by the end of September.
(mki)