The Tesla Full-Self-Driving (FSD) “Supervised Beta” feature is not new. Several versions of this driver-assistance software have been in several Tesla vehicles. The FSD came out for the Cybertruck several weeks ago, but can this software drive the truck off-road? This is what Jen and I decide to find out in this video review. Let’s dig in!
This software relies on several cameras around the vehicle, the GPS system, and the driver-defined navigation route in order to offer hands-free driving. This is still a Supervised system. It is labeled to be in Beta. The truck has a camera inside that monitors the driver to make sure the driver is attentive and can be ready to take over driving at moment’s notice. At least, that’s the idea.
We want to challenge this system. We start near our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado. We set the navigation system to our Cliffhanger 1.0 off-road trail, and hit “Go”.
Many other manufacturers offer driver-supervised hands-free driving systems, but none are ready to navigate tight mountain roads, dirt roads, and off-road trails.
Our route includes tight switchbacks of the Lefthand Canyon, the Lick Skillet Road (the steepest dirt county road), and the Switzerland off-road trail on its way up the Cliffhanger 1.0.
We cannot believe it as the truck drives smoothly up the winding canyon road. It’s not all great. There is a section where it becomes unsure how to make a 90-degree turn. It slows down a lot and starts sawing at the wheel. Soon after, it crosses the double-yellow in one very tight section. I was able to take over control, and there was no oncoming traffic.
The truck climbed the Lick Skillet Road using FSD. It safely passed two mountain bikers, but it had issues when we hit a washboard section of the road. The FSD disengaged. Next, we hit some fog and low clouds in the town of Gold Hill. The camera-based system disengaged again.
We set it to FSD again on the off-road trail. The truck continued one at a speed that I felt was a little too quick for the conditions (it was moving at around 8-9 MPH). Next, the FSD stopped and disengaged for the final time. The Overgrown trail became too narrow. Although, I was able to continue.
Overall, it’s an impressive attempt. What do you think? Join Jen and I in the video below.
