We Take Tesla's Autopilot for a Spin on the Streets of L.A. (W/Video)
We also test the self-parking feature.
Kelly LinWriterCory LutzWriter
We Take Tesla's Autopilot for a Spin on the Streets of L.A. (W/Video)
We also test the self-parking feature.
Kelly LinWriterCory LutzWriter
If you want a glimpse into the future of autonomous cars, look no further than the Tesla Model S. Revealed last October, Tesla's Autopilot can autonomously steer the car down the road, change lanes, and adjust speed in response to traffic. But how well does it really work?
In the video below, Road Test Editor Chris Walton takes the Model S P90D Autopilot for a test drive in real-life traffic situations. Yes, that includes the busy 405 freeway that runs through Los Angeles. The Model S tackles the freeway with aplomb, giving Walton some leisure time to read the newspaper and enjoy a cup of coffee.
But you'll also see the Model S encounter a few sticky situations, which reminds us the car is not fully autonomous. But the car doesn't claim to work without the need for any driver involvement, as it sometimes prompts the driver to keep his hands on the steering wheel. Click HERE to read our First Test of the Autopilot feature.
Walton says this was his first time testing out all of Tesla's autonomous features at once -- some of these features including autosteer, auto lane change, and advanced cruise control. "It was as much fun as I've had as a 'driver' in quite some time. We are, indeed, living in the future," he says.
Tesla has just one more trick up its sleeve, and that's the self-parking feature. We show you how to "summon" the Model S into and out of a parking space in the video above.
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
Read More