Tesla, the name itself brings forth a picture of futuristic four-wheelers with a high-end control system. The term futuristic not only denotes the AI-based control which the car packs. It also signifies how Tesla is literally making a revolution to shift consumers into adapting eco-friendly vehicles. Over the years the American automaker has prioritized that sustainability should not be devoid of modern-day tech. Thus, we have Tesla Model X and Model S with amazing features such as autopilot, supercharger, and ludicrous speed, etc.
However, the question is are these features really that futuristic.? Are they foolproof? So, to know more about this we have decided to learn about Tesla’s most-talked feature which is the automatic controlling of cars. In this post, we will explain in details about the tesla car autopilot system.
How Does Tesla car Autopilot work?
The Tesla car autopilot system is basically an advanced driver assistance system. It consists of a bunch of sensors. These are usually ultrasonic sensors that can sense movement up to 16 feet all around the car. They are present in every section of the car. It will provide continuous information about the environment around the car. The sensors can sense the presence of other vehicles and moving objects on the road. So, it allows the car to smartly drive through a busy road. It can smartly change lanes, apply brakes, take turnings on its own.
Along with the twelve ultrasonic sensors, the autopilot system also comprises other features. It includes a forward camera system, a high-precision automatic electric braking system. There is a forward radar installed as well.
The forward-camera is present on the windshield. It records the obstacles in front of the car. It can be a traffic signal, pedestrians, turnings, etc. The nothing misses out from the vigil of the forward-camera system. apart from this one, there are seven other cameras preset on the Tesla.
How to enable autopilot on a Tesla car?
Now, let’s see how we can enable the Tesla car autopilot system. When autopilot enables it can be used for driving and parking. Almost every tesla car build since 2016 come with the autopilot system.
Usually, the autopilot features are disabled by default. So, to enable it, go to Settings > Autopilot controls menu.
Pre-requisites
Before enabling the autopilot feature the user has to follow these guidelines.
- The driver must keep his hands on the steering wheel at all times.
- maintain control and responsibility of your respective vehicle
Now let us highlight each automated drive control feature of Tesla car and see how to enable them.
Navigate on Autopilot
This feature can auto-drive Tesla though highways, lanes, exits, etc. It can find the most efficient path to the driver’s destination.
To engage it,
- first, you have to enable Autosteer. To do it, Go to Controls > Autopilot > Autosteer – then enable the Navigate on Autopilot feature.
- It will require camera calibration
- Also, you’ve to download the latest version of Navigation maps via WiFi.
To enable Navigate on Autopilot for each of the routes that support it,
- Go to Navigation Turn List > press the Navigate On Autopilot
If you ride a Model X or Model S, to enable Navigate on Autopilot
- Pull the cruise stalk towards you twice in quick succession
Agin for a Tesla Model 3, to enable Navigate on Autopilot
- move the gear lever twice downwards, in quick succession.
Traffic-aware Cruise Control
To enable this feature on a model X or Model S,
- on the left of the steering column, pull down once on the cruise control stalk
To enable this feature on a Model 3
- on the right of the steering column, pull down once on the gear selector stalk.
Autosteer
- Enabling the autosteer is the same as activating the navigate on autopilot.
Once you enable it, you can see a grey steering wheel icon appear on your display. When autosteer is engaged, it will turn into a blue steering wheel.
Note: This feature will measure the torque applied on the steering wheel by the driver. In case, the applied torque is insufficient, then the driver will see a set of audio and visual alerts. This will measure insufficiency only when the driver is not properly placing his hands on the steering.
In case you miss the alerts intentionally/unintentionally then you will be locked out from using the Autopilot for that trip.
Auto-lane Change
- To initiate an automated lane change, go to Settings > Autopilot controls > Enable auto lane changes.
Autopark
This feature will enable on its own when the driver is at a speed of 10mph. When the tesla spots possible parking space, you will see a grey P icon appear on the instrument console.
- Press on brake > shift the gear selector into ‘Reverse’
- On your console, Start Autopark will appear in blue text.
- press on the above option and release the brake
- now autopilot will take over and get into the park the car.
Note: while on Autopark, make sure to monitor for incidental obstacles on the camera monitor. This way you will not lose complete control over your car.
Summon
This feature allows you to summon your tesla back from it sparking automatically. to do it,
- Go to your Tesla App
- Press Summon > press the forward or reverse buttons
If you are riding a Model X or Model S,
- Hold the center of the key fob for three seconds. The hazard lights will turn on.
- Now press frunk button on key fob summons the tesla forwards.
- To Summon the car backward press on the trunk button on the key fob.
You May Also Like,
Autopilot Doesn’t mean Self-driving System
Though tesla cars support autopilot, it doesn’t mean that these cars come with a self-driving system. The user must keep his hands on the steering wheel even when autopilot is active. He should be conscious enough to take over the steering wheel whenever required.
Sometimes poor visibility, mud, ice, snow, obstruction by objects mounted onto the vehicles may cause the tesla car autopilot, not function as it is programmed. In case there is dirt and grime on the cameras and sensors then they may not function properly. So, in urgent situations, if the driver has his hands on the steering wheel, then he controls the car. On its website, Tesla regularly stresses the use of autopilot while the user must put his hand on the steering.
Overriding the autopilot control is easy. It is simple to do. the user has to steer by hands, apply the brakes, and use the cruise control stalk to deactivate the automatic system.
So, that’s it, guys. This was a detailed insight into the Tesla car autopilot system. Stay tuned with EVLens to learn more about various aspects of electric vehicles.
Leave A Comment