Tesla's FSD: Social Etiquette Issues Persist Despite Improvements

As a Tesla engineer, I've witnessed firsthand the remarkable advancements in the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. However, despite these improvements, there are still some "social etiquette" issues that need to be addressed. In this article, I'll discuss these challenges and how Tesla can continue to enhance its FSD technology.



1. Phantom braking and false positives: One of the most persistent issues with FSD is phantom braking and false positives. The car may suddenly brake or change lanes without a clear reason, which can be disconcerting for both the driver and other road users. To address this, Tesla needs to improve its AI's ability to interpret and respond to complex driving situations, such as merging, lane changes, and intersections. By refining its algorithms and incorporating more real-world data, Tesla can reduce the frequency of these false positives.
2. Lane changes and wrong turns: Another common issue is the car's tendency to make sudden lane changes or take wrong turns. This can be attributed to the AI's difficulty in understanding the intentions of other drivers and predicting their behavior. To improve this, Tesla can learn from other companies' approaches, such as Argo AI's focus on enhancing its AI's ability to interpret and respond to complex driving situations. By incorporating more data and refining its algorithms, Tesla can better anticipate the behavior of other vehicles on the road.
3. Communication and transparency: Tesla has been criticized for not communicating enough about the limitations and capabilities of its FSD system. To build user trust and manage expectations, Tesla should be more transparent about the challenges and progress made in developing autonomous driving technology. By following Waymo's approach of being open about the challenges and progress, Tesla can help users better understand the capabilities and limitations of its FSD system.
4. Regulatory and safety concerns: The NHTSA is currently investigating 40 collisions involving Tesla's autonomous system, which has raised regulatory concerns. To address this, Tesla needs to work with regulators, ensure compliance with safety standards, and demonstrate the safety and reliability of its FSD system. By collaborating with regulators and addressing their concerns, Tesla can mitigate potential legal liabilities and maintain its competitive edge in the market.



In conclusion, while Tesla's FSD system has made significant strides, there are still some "social etiquette" issues that need to be addressed. By focusing on continuous software refinement, improving AI capabilities, enhancing communication and transparency, addressing regulatory concerns, and prioritizing data privacy, Tesla can work towards improving its FSD system and building user trust. As a Tesla engineer, I am confident that the company will continue to make progress in developing a safe, reliable, and socially responsible autonomous driving system.