Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta may be enabled on European streets as early as September 2024. The new UN Economic Commission for Europe regulation on Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) has been added to the annotated provisional agenda for the upcoming 192nd session of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.
BREAKING NEWS The new UNECE regulation DCAS, which could allow Tesla's FSD Beta in Europe, was added to the annotated provisional agenda for the 192nd session of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29). If it gets adopted, the regulation could come into… pic.twitter.com/yK8tLP0nYt
This discussion was initially set for 2025, with the regulatory body deciding the journey towards autonomous driving on the continent. Adding the DCAS regulation to the provisional agenda signals a crucial step in the regulatory process, suggesting a more accelerated timeline than anticipated. The provision comes with a 70-page document that dives into every aspect of autonomous driving.
The Essence of the Proposal and Its Impact
The DCAS regulation aims to establish a standardized framework for advanced driver assistance technologies, specifically targeting systems that provide sustained lateral and longitudinal motion control support. Unlike fully autonomous systems, DCAS requires the driver to remain engaged and responsible for the vehicle, fitting within the SAE level 2 automation category and lining up with Tesla’s FSD warnings. Adopting the DCAS regulation could mean re-enabling certain Autopilot features previously restricted in Europe and introducing the much-anticipated FSD Beta.
The document focuses on preventing misuse and overreliance on DCAS and addresses concerns about drivers overestimating the capabilities of automated systems. For Tesla and its users, the FSD Beta will have clear guidelines and interfaces to keep drivers informed and engaged, preventing potential safety issues from misunderstanding the system's limits.
Tesla’s Technology Will Face a New Standard of Tests
Tesla has an ongoing relationship with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the U.S., and now the company will have to adhere to a new rule book. The proposal details the safety measures that DCAS-equipped vehicles must adhere to, including response to system failures and compliance with speed limits. The FSD Beta must meet stringent safety standards for Tesla, ensuring its deployment in Europe will be innovative and aligned with the highest safety protocols.
Highlighting the various testing methods for verifying DCAS reliability and effectiveness provides insight into the rigorous approval process that Tesla's FSD Beta must undergo. This thorough testing and compliance process is reassuring for potential users, indicating that the system will have been extensively evaluated for safety and functionality before it becomes available in Europe.
The journey to this point has not been without its challenges. Regulatory processes, especially those involving new technologies and international standards, are inherently complex and time-consuming. The inclusion of the DCAS regulation in the WP.29 agenda comes after intensive efforts by stakeholders to prioritize and expedite the framework, reflecting the high level of interest and investment in the future of mobility.
The potential early adoption of the DCAS regulation holds promise for a new era of driving in Europe. Tesla's FSD Beta could soon be within reach for European drivers. The meeting takes place in Geneva in early March.
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Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.
Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.
It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.
Advisor-led Demo
This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.
The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.
Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.
Vision-based Improvements
ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.
Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.
I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.
Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.
Actually Smart Summon
ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.
We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.
Park Seek and Banish Autopark
When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.
A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.
While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.
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Tesla Android Project enables you to run Android apps in your Tesla. The platform is Open Source and you can deploy it on your own Raspberry Pi 4. Consider supporting the initiative by donating or purchasing the Compute Module 4 Bundle that delivers the best experience. Get $20 off by using the code: NotATeslaApp
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