Posted on 11/04/2025 12:17:18 PM PST by nickcarraway
An Iowa man decided to put the latest version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving to the test, using the autonomous-vehicle technology on an 800-mile drive to Colorado, according to Supercar Blondie.
The YouTuber, who goes by Iowa Tesla Guy (@iowatesla), posted about his journey online.
From the YouTuber's perspective, the trip ended up being a resounding success.
"There you have it," he said after completing the journey, per Supercar Blondie. "The FSD experiment is done. 800 miles from Iowa to Boulder, Colorado, using nothing but FSD — I would say 99.9% of literally all of the driving."
However, not all Tesla enthusiasts who have put the latest supervised Full Self-Driving to the test have enjoyed similar success.
Two other Tesla influencers attempted to pull off a comparable, yet more ambitious, experiment, aiming to drive from California to Florida without human intervention.
The trip was intended to belatedly fulfill Elon Musk's 2016 promise that, by the end of 2017, a Tesla would be able to drive itself coast-to-coast autonomously.
Despite setting out on a 3,000-mile journey from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, the Tesla enthusiasts found their vehicle unable to continue any further after experiencing a crash only about 60 miles into the trip. Running into trouble so early may have been bad luck, but it seemed to highlight how Tesla's optical detection system has had documented cases of missing or underestimating objects in the road.
While Iowa Tesla Guy might have successfully completed his 800-mile trek using Full Self-Driving, some experts have remained skeptical of the technology's reliance on cameras without lidar or radar to assist in detection.
In a recent analysis of the newest version of Full Self-Driving, Forbes found the technology to be "error-prone." In fact, the software made so many serious mistakes that the author questioned whether it should even be legal.
Under California law, drivers in both directions must stop when a school bus is flashing its lights.
Such glaring performance issues have led some to question why the technology has been allowed on the streets at all.
"A drug company wouldn't call something a universal, full cancer cure when it didn't actually cure cancer," Dan O'Dowd, a software developer who has become a vocal critic of Tesla's Full Self-Driving, told Forbes. "But [Tesla CEO Elon Musk] does it every day because no one in government will take action. No regulators will take action at this point."
"It should never be in a customer's hands," O'Dowd added. "It's just a prototype. It's not a product."
For those interested in an EV, such as a Tesla, and concerned about self-driving capabilities, the good news is that drivers can choose not to use the Full Self-Driving feature if they own a Tesla, as it is actually sold as an add-on.
Furthermore, those looking to upgrade to an electric vehicle have never had as many options as they do today, with an increasing number of EV models entering the market each year. There hasn't been a case of an EV forcing self-driving mode on a user, though both electric and gasoline-powered cars often come with passive driver-assist features nowadays that may help avoid obstacles or drifting across lanes.
EVs are not only responsible for considerably less planet-heating pollution per mile than gas-powered cars, but they also can save drivers thousands of dollars per year on fuel costs.
To take the cost savings and environmental benefits of driving an EV to the next level, you can install solar panels on your home. Charging an EV with home solar is cheaper than doing so using the electrical grid or at a public charging station.
Think installing a home charger is too complicated? Qmerit makes it easy to install Level 2 EV chargers by providing free, instant installation estimates.
Similarly, EnergySage takes the guesswork out of home solar with powerful, easy-to-use online tools that allow you to compare quotes from prescreened installers in your area while helping ensure that you take maximum advantage of tax rebates and other incentives.
Federal tax credits of $7,500 for new EVs sunset on Sept. 30, 2025, and tax credits for home solar end Dec. 31, so you must act now to save thousands of dollars.
I’m not certain of the value here. Unless you were 100% confident (and nothing less will do) that Tesla will self-drive you safely across the country, don’t you still have to sit behind the wheel and give it your full attention in case something goes wrong.
Any driver who is 100% confident they can safely drive across country is self-deluding.
Humans are fallible. A self driving car does not have to be infallible. It only needs to be less fallible than human drivers, on average.
Notice: this version of Tesla’s self driving software is already obsolete, and superseded by later versions.
Though come to think of it, if they could clear the semi traffic out of my way, I’d like to try the Des Moines to Denver run in, say, a Corvette ZR1. I’m guessing it would take about four hours.
“I won’t even use the cruise on my car.”
Why not?
Hijackers alert!
I was thinking the same thing. They should try "Oh My God Road" just outside Denver.
...and the hotel stops for charging, and finding a charger that hasn’t been parted out for recycling.
My local utility company has to approve all battery/solar systems attached to the grid.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO : WHO IS BEING INSURED AS THE DRIVER????
GingisK wrote: “...and the hotel stops for charging, and finding a charger that hasn’t been parted out for recycling.”
Why are we subjected to so much EV propaganda?
My Tiger1050 could probably do it in 4-5. Drem on.
The farting is appropriate considering how may liberal vegans probably own the wretched things, and pass gas non stop.
I did have an electric golf cart .not for golf. Put a lift kit on it, custom tires and wheels and a dump bed with wood railings. I used it around the yard and cruising in the woods on some trails for the grandkids. I sold that for a loud side x side which the kids like more.
I’m old school and remain that way. Just sold my 75 C3 corvette I built from the frame up and bought a 460hp 2019 C7 Grand Sport..sounds awesome and gets 30mpg on the highway and 24mpg around town... Hammering it it drops pretty quick but a lot of fun and the wife and I are in our 70’s. We also have a lifted customized 2016 jeep JKU I built, just sold the Harley Street Glide and a 19’ Triton Bass boat. Too many toys and the wife picked up her Volvo SUV last year...I’m not a fan but that’s her’s.
Enjoying retirement...
Well, Polio and Smallpox pretty much disappeared.
I don’t like to take my foot off the gas.
Ahh, I still miss my 69 Cougar with a 351 V-8.
👍👍👍
“I don’t like to take my foot off the gas.”
I find that on long trips my right leg and foot do better not having to keep my foot on the gas.
chaosagent wrote: “Well, Polio and Smallpox pretty much disappeared.”
True, but neither the polio or smallpox vaccines are 100% effective. Vaccination critics insist that a vaccine must prevent illness which means it must be 100% effective or it isn’t a vaccine.
True, but my point was more along the value added by self-driving. What does it gain you? Unless you know that it is a 100% certainly it will function correctly, wouldn't you be foolish not to remain behind the wheel and alert even if self-driving is engaged? How maybe rational people are going to think "sure, if I stay alert and engaged, I'll increase the margin of safety and be less likely to die, but what the heck, I'll just go to sleep and take my chances."
To me, staying alert and engaged behind the wheel would be the most rational, safety-conscious approach even if you have self-driving.
So in that case...what does self-driving actually gain for you if you're having to pay complete attention anyway.
So in that case...what does self-driving actually gain for you if you’re having to pay complete attention anyway.
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