What is Tesla Autopilot and how does it work?

by cryptheory

November 5, 2020

in AC mania

Reading Time: 5 mins read

Table of Contents

Tesla vehicles have some self-driving or autonomous capabilities through a feature bundle, called Autopilot, which is intended to be used only with a fully attentive driver. If you want to get Autopilot for your vehicle, or simply want to learn more about it and how it works, bookmark this guide.

What is Tesla Autopilot?

Autopilot is an optional driver assistance system made up of premium safety and convenience features you must purchase separately.

Autopilot features include the ability for your Tesla vehicle to steer, accelerate, and brake – autonomously and automatically – within its lane. Currently, Autopilot requires active driver supervision and does not make your vehicle fully autonomous. However, as Autopilot’s fully self-driving features do evolve over time, Tesla said your vehicle will be continuously upgraded to the latest version through over-the-air software updates.

Which vehicles have Telsa Autopilot?

Tesla models compared

Since 2016, all new Tesla vehicles come standard with the hardware required to enable Autopilot, including eight 360-degree cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, forward-facing radar, vision processing tools, an onboard computer, and more. This system can see in every direction simultaneously and ultimately power a Tesla’s self-driving capabilities. (Cars built between September 2014 and October 2016 include one camera and less-powerful radar and ultrasonic sensors.)

But, as we said earlier, you have to purchase one of Tesla’s two Autopilot packages in order to actually leverage this hardware and use Autopilot. You can check your vehicle’s configuration from the touchscreen: Select Controls > Software and confirm Autopilot computer type > and press Additional Vehicle Information.

How much is Tesla Autopilot?

You can purchase Autopilot either before you buy your Tesla vehicle or after it’s been delivered. Available packages include:

Autopilot

Price: $2,000 in the US

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: Matches the speed of your Tesla vehicle to that of traffic.

Autosteer: Assists in steering within a marked lane, and uses traffic-aware cruise control.

Full self-driving capability

Price: $10,000 in the US

Navigate on Autopilot (veta): Actively guides your Tesla vehicle from a highway’s on-ramp to off-ramp, including suggesting lane changes, navigating interchanges, automatically engaging the turn signal, and taking the exit.

Auto Lane Change: Assists in moving to an adjacent lane on the highway when Autosteer is engaged.

Autopark: Helps automatically parallel or perpendicular park your Tesla vehicle, with a single touch.

Summon: Moves your Tesla vehicle in and out of a tight space using the mobile app or key.

Smart Summon: Your Tesla vehicle will navigate more complex environments and parking spaces, maneuvering around objects to find you in a parking lot.

Traffic and Stop Sign Control (Beta): Identifies stop signs and traffic lights and slows your Tesla vehicle to a stop on approach, with your active supervision.

Note: As these self-driving features evolve, your car will be continuously upgraded to the latest version of Autopilot through over-the-air updates.

How do you buy Autopilot?

You can purchase Autopilot at any time through your Tesla Account, and then the Autopilot software required will be added to your car.

How do you operate Autopilot?

We recommend you read your owner’s manual for detailed information. But we’ve detailed how to turn on some of Autopilot’s core feature below. Many of them, like Autosteer, Navigate on Autopilot, and Summon, are disabled by default. To enable them, you must go to the Autopilot Controls menu within the Settings tab and turn them on. You will need to agree to “keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times” and to always “maintain control and responsibility”.

Traffic-Aware Cruise Control

To use Traffic-Aware Cruise Control in Model S and Model X, pull down once on the cruise control stalk on the left of the steering column. In Model 3 and Model Y, pull down once on the gear selector stalk on the right of the column.

Autosteer

To use Autosteer in Model S and Model X, pull toward you twice on the cruise control stalk on the steering column. In Model 3 and Model Y, pull down twice on the gear selector stalk on the right of the steering column.

Note: A steering wheel icon will appear on your display when Autosteer is available. A blue steering wheel icon will appear when it is engaged.

Navigate on Autopilot

To start using this feature, you must first enable Autosteer (Controls > Autopilot > Autosteer) and then enable the Navigate on Autopilot feature. Camera calibration will be required and the latest version of Navigation maps must be downloaded via Wi-Fi. For each route where Navigate on Autopilot is available, you can press the Navigate on Autopilot button located in your Navigation Turn List to activate it (you can also activate Navigate on Autopilot at any time).

On Model 3 and Model Y, Navigate on Autopilot can be engaged on most highways by moving the gear lever twice downward, in quick succession. On Model S and Model X, Navigate on Autopilot can be engaged on most highways by pulling the cruise stalk toward you, twice in quick succession.

Auto Lane Change

To initiate an automated lane change, you must enable Auto Lane Changes through the Autopilot Controls menu within the Settings tab. Then when the car is in Autosteer, a driver must engage the turn signal.

Autopark

If your car sees a parking spot, a grey P icon will appear on your instrument panel. To use Autopark, press on the brake and shift the gear selector into Reverse. Keep your foot on the brake. Start Autoparkwill appear in blue text on your touchscreen – press this to start the feature and release the brake and steering wheel. Autopark will then begin to maneuver the vehicle. Once Autopark is complete, the car will let you know it is complete and shift into Park.

You can override Autopark at any time by taking control of the steering wheel.

Summon

To use Summon, open the Tesla app.

Press Summon and then press the forward or reverse buttons. Model S and Model X owners can use Summon with their key fob by holding the center of the key fob for three seconds until the car’s hazard lights come on, and then pressing either the frunk or trunk button on the key fob to Summon forward and backward.

Smart Summon

Smart Summon is designed to allow your car to drive to you or a location of your choosing. Itis only intended for use in private parking lots and driveways.

To use Smart Summon, open your Tesla app, tap Summon,and then select the Smart Summon icon. To activate the feature, press and hold the Come to Me button. Or, tap the target icon, set the target destination of your choice by adjusting the map, and then press and hold the Go to Target button.

Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control (Beta)

Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control identifies stop signs and traffic lights and slows your car to a stop. To enable it, shift your car into Park and tap Controls > Autopilot > Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control (Beta), and then engage Traffic-Aware Cruise Control or Autosteer.