Tesla presents advanced autonomous driving functions

A Tesla statement describes the functions as similar to those of the “Full Self-Driving” (FSD, an entirely autonomous driving) that it already offers in the United States.

Cars with that capacity are not totally autonomous and should be used with supervision of a driver.

The information was initially released by the state medium in English Shanghai Daily.

Tesla indicated in the Chinese social network Wechat that will gradually disseminate a computer update that includes “assisted driving with autopilot in urban streets”, as well as a rearview mirror function that detects if drivers are paying attention.

The update “has already been disclosed for some vehicle models and will be gradually launched for other appropriate models,” Tesla added.

China is an important market for Tesla, which has two factories in the country and tries to compete with local brands, in full expansion.

Hard competition

Tuesday’s announcement took place after the Chinese electric car company Byd, the main rival of Tesla in the country, said that it would include advanced autonomous driving technology in most of its models.

Tesla has tried to obtain approval for the FSD in China, where you must comply with strict data privacy laws.

The firm’s executive director, Elon Musk, has visited China several times in recent years in search of obtaining that approval for its models made in the Asian country.

Musk is a key figure in the government of US President Donald Trump, who imposed additional rates for Chinese products and promised to stop Chinese investments in technology and infrastructure.

Even so, the Chief of Tesla is a popular figure in China, where he is considered a successful and influential entrepreneur.

Musk has almost 2.3 million followers in the Chinese social network Weibo and his mother, Maye Musk, has appeared in commercials of several Chinese brands.

The Tesla website in China was updated on Tuesday to allow customers to choose the “FSD assisted intelligent driving function” as a product available in cars.

Tesla users went to social networks to exhibit the new functions, with videos that show people driving without their hands in the crank.

Chinese technology and manufacturers have invested billions of dollars in autonomous driving technology, seeking to catch up with the leaders of the sector in the United States.

Although Chinese consumers cannot acquire completely autonomous vehicles, Beijing already approved several autonomous driving taxi services in large cities.