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Tesla Autopilot will have a tough job covering all real-world anomalies

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Having an always-on HD dashcam installed in the Tesla generally means that 99% of the footage captured is of your everyday run-of-the-mill commute, but it’s that out of the ordinary 1% that really makes things exciting.

On the way to a family luncheon held at a local sushi buffet we encountered a little more excitement than usual. Not because I’m convinced that Route 90 in Massachusetts is a magnet for idiots who like to drive while texting with their phones, express themselves using crazy bumper stickers, and do terrible things to their vehicles, but because among the mix of crazies and commuters, we also managed to encounter a flying hubcap.

The scenario

We were cruising along in our pre-Autopilot Model S when the hubcap of the van in front of us popped off. The hubcap would appear to roll to my left, but only before a steel band separated projecting itself left and up as the hubcap veered right. Surrounded by cars on either side of me, I was faced with the split-second decision  to choose between which one to hit.

Hubcap and wheelband

Flying wheel bands and hubcaps

The band looked a lot smaller, appeared lighter and was at a height where it would hit the glass rather than my paint so I decided to take that on. The band struck my windshield and went spinning off. The hubcap continued to veer to my right and rolled off the road. As far as I can tell neither the hubcap or band hit another vehicle.

My human reaction was to move slightly to my left lane after thinking about which would be the lesser of two evils while keeping safety in mind. Braking hard or swerving to either side could have resulted in a lot more negative consequences. While it’s instinct to dodge flying trash, debris and even animals, the unfortunate reality of it all is that striking the obstacles is sometimes the best decision.

I suppose, you never know what’s best until you’re faced with these rarities.

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Autopilot and flying objects

This experience got me thinking about Tesla’s Autopilot and whether their team will incorporate an ethical component to the Autopilot algorithm. Navigating roads, dodging cars and avoiding the side of white trucks cast against a brightly lit sky is one big challenge Tesla continues to try and figure out. To make things even more difficult, how will autonomous vehicles adjust to airborne obstacles? The car can react a a lot faster than I can and technically has more opportunity to potentially make the wrong decision. One can argue that the additional time also provides the vehicle more opportunity to fully analyze the situation and make the right decision if programmed correctly.

With today’s sensors the car probably wouldn’t see the objects I encountered, but in the future it may very well be able to do so. Full autopilot that is as good as an experienced driver is a massive undertaking and Tesla knowingly still has a long way to go. The flying hubcap experience was a good first-hand reminder of why you should keep your hands on the wheel at all times – Autopilot or not.

Summary

In the end I was fortunate — I got some rubber on my glass that I could remove with baking soda, and I was left with a couple of scratches on the windshield near my line of sight. I’ll have to check with a glass expert to see if there are any safety issues with the depth of those scratches — tempered glass becomes a lot less structurally sound after the outside layer is compromised. You normally want every significant windshield impact repaired but I’m hoping not to be writing about the woes of a windshield replacement for the Tesla Model S anytime soon.

My dashcam caught the whole thing in action. Should I ever need proof of what happened for insurance, it’s all there including the van’s license plate, proof that the hubcap came from that van etc. The dashcam provides that extra level of comfort and the ability to go back and review your own reactions in situations like this so that, like Autopilot, you’re learning from each and every experience.

The brief video is below:

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"Rob's passion is technology and gadgets. An engineer by profession and an executive and founder at several high tech startups Rob has a unique view on technology and some strong opinions. When he's not writing about Tesla

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Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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