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Tesla Autopilot warns driver well ahead of potential head-on collision

Published

7 years ago

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As Tesla’s latest Autopilot 2.0 update under version 8.1 (2018.10.4) continues to receive rave reviews from operators across the world, one Model S owner is thanking the company for its Forward Collision Avoidance feature after it saved them from a near head-on collision.

A Model S driver in Switzerland posted a video that shows a close-call situation after three cars in the opposite lane veered into their lane, in an attempt to overtake a slow-moving farm tractor. With the vehicle’s Autopilot system engaged at 50 mph (85 km/h), the driver under the Reddit username l10i recounts seeing a Ford Kuga driving directly at them while overtaking the tractor. The Ford was followed by two other vehicles that were also looking to also pass the farm vehicle. The second vehicle is seen coming in close proximity to l10i’s Model S, barely missing it as it quickly swerves back. The third vehicle, a van, doesn’t have enough room to overtake the tractor and retreats to their original lane.

“I saw the first car (Ford Kuga) beginning to overtake the tractor and said to myself « Okay, that’s ballsy. But it should be fine… if you hit the gas… come on! ». I chose to let Autopilot do its thing and was ready to take over, maybe planning to honk the Kuga when passing by if it was too close. That’s when I saw one more car and then a van starting to overtake the tractor with a hundred meters to spare, that was not gonna happen!” said the driver of the Model S.

However, l10i notes that Autopilot’s safety feature impressed not only because of its Forward Collision Warning system and its ability to detect the oncoming car – there have been countless videos posted by Tesla owners in the past, showing Autopilot saving them from an imminent collision – rather, it was the vehicle’s ability to detect the threat of oncoming danger well in advance that made it even more impressive.

According to the driver, Tesla’s suite of sensors including the vehicle’s forward facing cameras and radar were able to identify the Ford while it was turning into their lane and still 250-feet (75 meters) away, and sound a series of chimes and visual indicator to alert the driver of possible danger. “The AP was well aware of the Kuga being in MY lane at that distance! The radar alone can’t tell if the echo is on the correct lane (any normal oncoming traffic) or not. I find this latest update quite impressive indeed.” said l10i.

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RELATED: Tesla fan puts himself in front of a moving Model S to test Autopilot collision avoidance capabilities

Tesla’s Owners Manual for Model S indicates that the vehicle’s cameras and sensors associated with Forward Collision Warning can monitor an area up to 525 feet (160 meters) in the vehicle’s driving path. Although Tesla vehicles equipped with the Collision Avoidance Assist system also features Automatic Emergency Braking, the company warns drivers to use appropriate caution when operating a vehicle and be prepared to take corrective action at all times. Only in situations where a frontal collision is considered unavoidable will Automatic Emergency Braking be applied, with the goal of reducing the severity of an impact. Another relatively unknown safety feature is Tesla’s “Active Hood” that’s designed to minimize injury from a collision with pedestrians.

Watch l10i’s video below and let us know what you think of the Tesla’s safety feature.

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Lifestyle

Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

Published

3 weeks ago

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March 6, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday. 

A Chance Meeting

The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. 

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“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.

Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.

Surprisingly Partisan

While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.

Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

2 months ago

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January 31, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

2 months ago

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January 14, 2025

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Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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