by Musk’s Unfulfilled Promise
Back in 2016, Tesla CEO Elon Musk boldly stated that by the end of the following year, the automaker would demonstrate a coast-to-coast drive from Los Angeles to New York relying solely on its driver-assistance system. Almost a decade has passed since that promise, and such a trip has yet to be accomplished.
An Enthusiast’s Own Experiment
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian Tesla enthusiast on YouTube decided to conduct his own transcontinental test in an updated Model Y with the Full Self-Driving function. It’s safe to say the journey did not go according to plan.
An Unexpected Obstacle
Bearded Tesla Guy and his friend set off from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Florida. Having barely traveled 60 miles, they encountered an object in the middle of the highway. As the Model Y was moving at 76 miles per hour, the passenger suggested it might be a roadkill animal, but the driver did not intervene, as if waiting for the Full Self-Driving system to detect the object and steer around it.
Collision with the Ramp
However, as the duo approached the object, they quickly realized it was something else. A large steel ramp, likely fallen from a truck, lay ahead. While any attentive driver would have seen the ramp and had more than enough time to change lanes and avoid it, these guys did not.
Instead, the Model Y crashed into the steel ramp at full speed with such force that it momentarily launched the Tesla into the air before it landed noisily back on the road. The duo immediately stopped to assess the damage. At first glance, the damage didn’t seem too severe, and they continued for several hundred miles before deciding to have the car inspected by a mechanic.
Extent of the Damage
After the car was lifted on a hoist, it turned out that the main impact was absorbed by the stabilizer bar, and its bracket was destroyed. Furthermore, several suspension components were damaged, rendering the front drive unit inoperable.
It is important to remember that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system is officially classified as Level 2. This means it remains a driver-assistance function, not a replacement for human control. Drivers are expected to remain alert at all times and be ready to take control immediately, no matter how advanced the program may seem.
The situation with this incident clearly demonstrates the current limitations of autonomous technologies, even those actively advertised. Such cases serve as important reminders for all owners of cars with similar systems about the critical importance of constant attention behind the wheel. The technology is evolving, but for now, it cannot fully replace human experience and instincts in unpredictable road situations, requiring drivers to use it responsibly.
