Tesla FSD v9, how it's going. We take a look at what v9 is capable of

By Henry Farkas

It’s presumptuous of me to write an article on Tesla’s FSD Beta v9 considering the sad fact that my Tesla Model 3 doesn’t have it. I’ve had the urge to do it anyway, but what could I say? Well, I’ve watched videos and read articles written by people who have it, and now I have something to say that no one has said. I’m going to compare Tesla to Mercedes Benz.

There are numerous people who now have access to the FSD v9 Beta, and many of them have now posted videos online to describe their experience. We take a look at some of those most interesting videos below.

All these reviewers mention that v9 is much smoother and more human-like in its driving leading to fewer disengagements. You’ll note that even though v9 is a better driver, it’s not yet a human-level driver. There’s no such thing as disengagement when a human is driving.

AI Addict took his Tesla with v9 down Lombard St. in San Francisco and here's how it did:

For those of you not familiar with San Francisco, Lombard St is extremely curvy and hilly. It’s also very narrow. It’s a one-way street, so you have to drive downhill. The last time I drove down that hill, I scraped my car on a cement curb. AI addict went down the street twice, and he had to take over both times. Clearly, Lombard St is an edge case that the neural network hasn’t mastered yet.

Here’s a v9 video in San Francisco that doesn’t go down Lombard St, but that does still need some human interventions.

Here’s a video by Dirty Tesla in downtown Ann Arbor. He did need to intervene a number of times.

So, basically, v9 is much better than v8, but it’s still not able to drive as well as the average human driver. So, what else is new? Here’s the kicker.

There’s an article in Engadget that describes the author's test track experience in a Mercedes Benz with level 3 self-driving. Benz is planning to release level 3 within a year.

Below you have the six levels of vehicle autonomy as defined by the SAE International group, which defined the standards the US goverment now uses.

SAE Internationa autonomy levels

Here’s the thing about the Mercedes Benz version of level three. It’s geofenced to limited access highways, and it’s velocity fenced to speeds of less than 60 kilometers/hour which translates to speeds of less than 37.2 miles an hour. So if you buy one of these cars for the level 3 self-driving feature, you’ll be able to use it only on limited-access highways during traffic jams. According to the video, you’ll be able to watch movies, play video games, and send texts while in traffic jams, that is unless the police see you doing those things. You’ll be able to keep your hands off the steering wheel, but you still have to be ready to take over instantly if the car decides it doesn’t know what to do. If you fall asleep or raise a newspaper high enough so the interior camera doesn’t know if you’re awake and alert, the level 3 self-driving feature will stop working.

So now, let’s get back to Tesla. Although I don’t have FSD Beta v9, I do have Navigate on Autopilot on my Model 3, and that’s what gets used on limited-access highways even on cars with FSD Beta v9. So here’s my experience on limited-access highways.

I do have to keep my hands on the steering wheel, and I’m not permitted to text, play video games, or watch movies even when I’m in a slow-moving traffic jam. Frankly, I wouldn’t feel safe doing those things while driving any car including a Mercedes. And keeping my hands on the wheel seems like the right thing to do in a car that might want me to take over at any moment. It would take one or two tenths of a second for me to get my hands onto the steering wheel if they were off the wheel when an emergency situation arose. It would take one or two seconds to figure out what to do if my mind was on a text, a video game or a movie when a disengagement happened. Even a tenth of a second could make the difference between a close call and an accidental crash.

For the most part, the only time I ever need to intervene while on a limited-access road is when my Tesla and I disagree on which is the most propitious travel lane. This sort of disagreement happens often enough that I have the settings adjusted so that the car needs my consent before it changes lanes.

But if you’re willing to let your Tesla decide which lane to travel in, then Tesla FSD non-beta is already more powerful than the Mercedes level 3. Yes, you need to keep your hands on the wheel and you’re not permitted to watch movies. But otherwise, the Tesla will drive itself as well as the Mercedes, and it will do that very well at full highway speeds, in stop and go traffic jams and everything in between. Level 3 self-driving below 37 MPH isn't an improvement over advanced autopilot.

Tesla's Autopilot is currently a level two driving feature, which basically means that it should be used as an aid to drivers, but that it does not drive on your own. If you've ever used Autopilot then you'll know that Tesla is right on the cusp of level three. With the FSD Beta, I believe Tesla is planning on pushing level three automation to everyone who has purchased the FSD package. Level three is where the FSD features break free and stop just being an aid and turn into an "autonomous" vehicle that the driver should pay attention to, and not just at 37 MPH.

Breaking Tradition: Tesla Hits the Social Media Advertising Road

By Kevin Armstrong
Model Y Advertising
Model Y Advertising
Tesla

Tesla has prepared us for a slower sales year, but just how slow may be showing up on social media. No, I’m not talking about X, which is where 99% of Tesla news comes from, but social platforms owned by a guy that Elon Musk once wanted to fight.

Tesla advertising has been shown on Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook and Instagram accounts. While Musk has talked about utilizing more conventional advertising for more than a year, Tesla has only sporadically shown up on a few digital avenues; now, it appears to be a full campaign.

The Return to Meta and Zuck

The year 2018 marked a significant moment in Tesla's history when Elon Musk, in a move reflective of his disdain for Facebook amid the Cambridge Analytica scandal, deleted Tesla and SpaceX's Facebook pages, both of which boasted millions of followers. Fast forward six years, Tesla has reinstated its presence on Facebook and launched advertising campaigns across Meta-owned platforms.

Musk is now paying Tesla money to a guy he challenged to a cage match and once joked/threatened to drive by his house and fight him. There are two takeaways here: Meta is a dominant force in online advertising, and Musk is willing to do whatever it takes to advance Tesla’s mission to a sustainable future.

Embracing Traditional Advertising Amidst EV Market Changes

Tesla's advertisements, including ads on Cars.com, which highlight the Model Y, demonstrate the company's adeptness in utilizing Meta's sophisticated targeting capabilities to reach potential customers. Tesla's avoidance of traditional advertising was once heralded as a visionary move, saving the company billions and contributing to its mystique.

However, the electric vehicle landscape has evolved, with early adopters now equipped with their chosen EVs, making it imperative for Tesla and its competitors to reach a broader audience. Tesla's advertising initiatives on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube reflect this strategic adjustment, aiming to capture the attention of potential buyers beyond its core fanbase.

Despite Elon Musk's historically critical view of advertising and his complex relationship with the social media advertising sphere, Tesla's foray into paid advertisements represents a significant evolution in the company's marketing strategy. This shift acknowledges the necessity of diversified marketing approaches in sustaining growth and expanding market reach in the contemporary automotive landscape.

Tesla Advances with 5G: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity for Cars and Robotics

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla building 5G private network
Tesla building 5G private network

Tesla appears to be planning an ambitious project to build a private 5G network. This initiative would revolutionize connectivity for its vehicles and the robot, Optimus, as well as any other plans the company is likely to develop in the future.

Innovative Job Posting Reveals Big Plans

Although now removed, a recently spotted job posting for a Cellular Systems Integration Engineer on Tesla's career page shed light on the company's intentions. The role demands expertise to elevate Tesla's vehicle and Optimus robot connectivity, promising to push the boundaries of low latency and high data rates.

Tesla's journey from 3G to the anticipated 5G upgrade will bring about ultra-reliable communication and high-speed data transfer, crucial for over-the-air software updates, autonomous driving features, and real-time data analytics. These communications could be product to product, such as vehicles communicating with each other or with other products such as Optimus. However, the job posting also talks about products being able to communicate with Tesla’s internal 5G network. It’s not clear whether the private network would be internal such as at a Gigafactory, or a broader network out in the world.

Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication
Tesla is pursuing an internal 5G network for product communication

The Strategic Role of Private 5G Networks

Deploying its private 5G network, Tesla aims to create a seamlessly connected environment in its manufacturing facilities, research labs, and outdoor spaces. This infrastructure is not just about enhancing vehicle connectivity; it's also pivotal for the operational efficiency of the Optimus robot in various scenarios, including warehouse operations.

Tesla's foray into private 5G networking places it in an advantageous position in the automotive and tech industries. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards adopting private 5G networks, which promise to revolutionize industries with their reliability and speed. Tesla's efforts to develop a private 5G protocol stack that integrates with any cellular infrastructure globally will set new industry standards.

With 5G, Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots will benefit from significantly reduced latency, offering under 5 milliseconds compared to the 60-98 milliseconds of 4G networks. This technological advancement is expected to enhance the functionality and responsiveness of Tesla's products, paving the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and efficient robot operations.

Tesla's interest in developing a private 5G network is a logical step. By building an infrastructure that supports the fastest connectivity standards, Tesla is preparing for its vehicles and laying the groundwork for sophisticated robotics applications. This endeavor reflects Tesla's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of transportation and automation.

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Although we share official Tesla release notes, we are not affiliated with Tesla Motors. We are Tesla fans and supporters.

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