Tesla set to commence Supervised Full Self-Driving test demonstrations in the United Kingdom, following successful trials in Australia
In the world of autonomous vehicles, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology is making strides, with recent demonstrations in the UK and Australia.
Tesla's FSD system, currently undergoing supervised testing in the UK, has been showcased navigating bustling city streets, stopping for pedestrians, and completing journeys around complex roundabouts, such as the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera house backdrop in Sydney. However, it's important to note that Tesla has not yet received full regulatory approval for FSD testing in the UK. The UK government is preparing regulatory frameworks that could permit driverless taxi services without safety drivers as early as 2026, indicating an evolving legal landscape for Tesla's ambitions in robotaxis.
The UK's regulatory approval for FSD is still pending, with Tesla's FSD technology operating at roughly SAE Level 2 autonomy—driver-assist with continuous human supervision needed. Despite this, Tesla's country director, Thom Drew, has clarified that there are no regulatory blockers for the FSD software to be rolled out in right-hand-drive markets of Australia and New Zealand.
The rollout of FSD supervised software will start on hardware 4 (HW4) before further releases in phases to more Tesla vehicles in these markets. This is not a new phenomenon, as in May, Tesla released a video of its supervised FSD being tested on Australian roads in Melbourne without any driver input.
The success of FSD in multiple global markets, including Australia and the UK, is being closely watched by observers of the autonomous vehicle industry. Tesla shared an image of a right-hand-drive Model 3 undergoing supervised FSD testing in the UK during its Q2 earnings call last week. More recently, Tesla released another video showing a supervised FSD journey around the streets of Sydney, with multiple London landmarks, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square, visible in a video showcased on Tesla's Europe X account.
The progress of the UK FSD rollout remains unclear, with no further details provided during the call. Nevertheless, the interest in Tesla's FSD technology is palpable, with some owners in the UK closely watching the company's progress in their own market. Riz Akhtar, founder of carloop based in Melbourne, a mechanical engineer with a passion for EVs and a goal to reduce transport emissions in Australia, is among those keeping a close eye on Tesla's advancements.
- Tesla's FSD technology, currently under supervised testing in the UK and Australia, is demonstrating its abilities in navigating complex urban environments.
- The UK government is preparing regulatory frameworks that could permit driverless taxi services without safety drivers as early as 2026, potentially paving the way for Tesla's robotaxis.
- Tesla's FSD software is expected to be rolled out in right-hand-drive markets of Australia and New Zealand, despite regulatory approvals still pending in the UK.
- The success of Tesla's electric-vehicle FSD technology is being closely watched globally, with industry experts and enthusiasts alike expressing interest, particularly in the UK and Australia.
