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Like many different Tesla homeowners who’ve purchased “Full Self Driving” (FSD) previously a number of years, I not too long ago obtained model 12.3 put in on my automobile through an over-the-air software program replace. That was additionally the case for a couple of different CleanTechnica contributors. On this article, I’m sharing a few of the experiences that a type of writers, David Havasi, and I’ve had with FSD 12.3.1 and FSD 12.3.3 right here in Florida.
The video beneath was recorded final Thursday, and each David’s automobile and mine had been operating model 12.3.3 of FSD (“Full Self Driving Supervised”) at the moment. Nevertheless, we each referenced utilizing 12.3.1 on latest journeys to Miami (from Bradenton) and again. Curiously, we had very completely different experiences on these street journeys. Nevertheless, let’s begin with the video earlier than attending to that.
Testing Tesla FSD 12.3.3 on Metropolis Streets and in Roundabouts
Notice that Dick Amacher joined us on these drives. Dick labored on GM’s EV1 venture again within the day, and he obtained supply of the primary Tesla Mannequin Y in Florida. He additionally has FSD 12.3.3 and can contribute some items sooner or later on a giant street journey utilizing the expertise.
I’m going to focus on a couple of notable moments from our drives. Sooner or later, David and I are additionally going to do common drives (with video) to doc modifications in FSD higher, however the overarching level I’d make to start with is that it has gotten a lot higher and a lot extra comfy, pure, and clean with the change to model 12, which makes use of neural nets for resolution making rather more broadly than it had earlier than. It really is beautiful to see how rather more fulfilling driving with FSD is now, and David and I agreed that that is what we thought we’d be getting a couple of years in the past when Tesla began rolling out FSD on metropolis streets. Now that we’re at this level, we’re extra keen and able to take a look at FSD and doc its progress (or lack thereof — we’ll see what we get).
At 6:15, visitors in entrance of us goes by a light-weight and we’re anticipating to get by as effectively. From the place I used to be sitting within the again seat, I didn’t see the sunshine flip yellow or crimson, however on the digital camera, you’ll be able to see the sunshine flip yellow and the vehicles rolling by it, after which a few of them hurry alongside to get throughout the road regardless of the sunshine turning crimson. Really, for those who pay shut consideration to it, you’ll be able to see that the Kia Soul proper subsequent to us sped as much as cross the intersection. David’s Tesla Mannequin 3 with FSD on did what you’re truly purported to do — with sufficient time to decelerate for the yellow mild, it slowed down after which stopped on the entrance of the lane on crimson. Good work.
At 8:43, after we obtained the inexperienced mild at that very same intersection, the automobile began to drive ahead after which seen vehicles had been nonetheless making left turns in entrance of us. It stopped just a little bit more durable than I’d have — I’d have principally inched ahead however waited to essentially begin driving till these vehicles completed turning. That stated, FSD didn’t actually jerk us — it simply began driving just a little prematurely (given there have been vehicles in all probability operating a crimson mild in entrance of us) after which placed on the brakes just a little stronger than I’d have wanted to.
At about 10 minutes in, we witnessed the FSD system navigating a car parking zone cautiously and fairly easily. The one factor we seen is it went by the car parking zone a bit extra slowly than most people would drive. That is in all probability sensible and following regular car parking zone pace restrict guidelines — it’s simply not how most people drive by a car parking zone.
At 21:20, a driver pulls out of the procuring heart car parking zone when it actually shouldn’t have, basically chopping us off — it additionally goes throughout the double lane marking because it realizes it doesn’t have the suitable timing and is rushing as much as not get hit by us or make us brake onerous. FSD very easily slows down to go away the suitable quantity of house. Frankly, it appears to decelerate extra easily than I’d have on this scenario! Spectacular.
At 22:15, turning proper at a crimson mild and merging into visitors, the automobile pulls out a bit faster and extra aggressively than I’d, but it surely was efficient for not disrupting visitors or inflicting any security issues.
At 23:00, David’s automobile is getting right into a left flip lane after which decides for a second it ought to return into the lane it’s come from, however then realizes it does wish to get into the flip lane and goes again to doing the fitting factor. It’s not a giant error, but it surely’s the sort of factor the place if there was a automobile behind impatiently attempting to get by the sunshine forward, that automobile may have began rushing up and nicked the again bumper of David’s automobile when it began returning to the lane, or the motive force no less than may have been irritated by David’s obvious indecision and try to return to the lane he was leaving. That stated, being Florida, we famous that it wouldn’t be all that uncommon of a factor to see! However, sure, I’m marking that down as a notable error — although, one which I believe Tesla’s FSD system ought to resolve earlier than lengthy.
At 26:30, this isn’t a security factor in any respect, however simply one thing I don’t like from attempting to be an environment friendly driver who avoids utilizing the brakes — the automobile sped up a bit earlier than then having to brake at a crimson mild. I’d choose that it choose these conditions higher and easily depend on the regen braking to cease at a crimson mild.
At 28:23, turning left at that very same crimson mild, we had been in an identical scenario to David at 6:15. Nevertheless, on this occasion, though the automobile began to decelerate as the sunshine turned yellow, it appeared that it then crossed the white stopping line naturally and determined it ought to then go forward and proceed by the yellow mild. In my view, it made the proper resolution there, and easily, too!
At 31:30, I used to be very near a pedestrian crossing and there was a person on the fitting who was able to cross. My automobile (FSD) placed on the brakes for him, however then began to maneuver ahead once more as he began to cross! Proper after that, it was seemingly slowing down once more, however the automobile was manner too shut to the pedestrian to take an opportunity — I didn’t wish to danger scaring him, not to mention hitting him, so I took over from FSD and hit the brakes.
At 32:50, we talk about whether or not FSD 12.3 acknowledges college zones with flashing yellow lights. I’ve since triple or quadruple checked and FSD doesn’t appear to note when a college zone is energetic (yellow lights flashing). It tries to drive by them on the road’s regular pace, which is in fact unlawful and harmful.
Watch the entire thing for extra particulars and experiences.
Two Highway Journeys to Miami & Again
David and I, individually, occurred to make journeys from Bradenton to Miami and again after getting model FSD 12.3.1. David used it a ton, together with within the metropolis of Miami, and was extraordinarily impressed with it. Quickly after leaving Bradenton, I attempted utilizing it on the interstate and it saved steering me into the left aspect of the lane as an alternative of preserving centered. This wasn’t only a matter of desire — it was excessive and definitely wasn’t acceptable with different visitors round — and it didn’t take too lengthy that I gave up on utilizing FSD round different vehicles on the interstate or in a busy metropolis I’m not conversant in. So, I hardly used FSD on the journey. However then …
On one stretch of I-75 on the way in which again, there have been no vehicles anyplace near us in entrance of us or behind us. It was stunning to don’t have any vehicles round, however I took the chance to strive FSD 12.3 once more. What occurred then was a a lot greater shocker. The automobile did what it had performed at the start of the journey and began getting too far within the left aspect of the lane. Then it crossed the lane marking … however didn’t absolutely change lanes. It sat there straddling the to lanes for some time, about 60% in a single lane and 40% in one other, or perhaps even 50–50. I couldn’t perceive it and couldn’t clarify it. Naturally, we determined then that I used to be performed testing FSD with different folks within the automobile. Sadly, we weren’t filming, however a second later, we did snap an image of the roadway in entrance of us to indicate how empty it was, how clear the lane markings had been, and that the street situation was nice. Right here’s the image:
Two Different Tesla FSD 12.3.3 Check Drivers & Points
Actually, on this image, we had been now nearer to a different automobile than we had been earlier than, and the street was curving as an alternative of utterly straight. So, the scenario the place we tried utilizing FSD was much more splendid. Shade me bewildered, particularly after seeing so many optimistic critiques of model 12.3.
To finish, I’ll be aware that I’ve seen a number of nice experiences with FSD on social media, however I additionally seen two points folks encountered. Right here they’re:
Whereas testing out FSD 12.3.3 in the present day on my Tesla Mannequin 3, the automobile carried out this EXTREMELY unsafe maneuver. First, it weaved and adjusted lanes twice with out signaling, then started the protected left from a left-turn solely lane, then all of the sudden swerved (at 0:15) a VERY unlawful proper and… pic.twitter.com/151GXkJskC
— Sam Rosenthal, Award Successful On-line Security EXPERT! (@SirSardonic) April 3, 2024
Tesla FSD 12.3.3 is worse than the earlier variations, it’s the first time that in a light-weight change, the automobile begins to brake however unexpectedly fsd releases the brake, even with the intervention and the brake at full throttle, I used to be barely capable of cease on time. pic.twitter.com/m5KT5UAlCL
— TeslaTips (@TipsTesla) April 3, 2024
Curiously, each of these points are much like notable moments within the quick drives David and I made. In that first one above, the automobile (FSD) appears to get confused about which lane it needs to be in to show. The expertise was extra excessive than David’s, because the automobile determined to vary from the left flip lane into the fitting flip lane in the course of the intersection. The motion was clearly unsafe and unlawful. Within the second video, it’s hardest to note a difficulty from the video, however the tester’s clarification of it makes it appear fairly unsafe — just like the automobile began to brake for the yellow mild however then modified its thoughts and tried to undergo a bit later than splendid. I’ll maintain my eyes out for extra instances like these, or different potential points. Tell us for those who spot any, too!
With these experiences shared, tell us your ideas on FSD 12.3 to this point and something you’l like so as to add, ask, or see examined. As famous on the high, David and I will probably be documenting our FSD driving now frequently and testing it out in several areas of the town. Additionally, I believe you’ll be able to all belief that, in contrast to some folks on this house, I will probably be goal in sharing each the great and the unhealthy and preserving an open thoughts about all of it. Subscribe to CleanTechnica.TV and hit the notification bell to comply with alongside!
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