A new version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is released on a (somewhat) regular schedule, and behind every update lies a rigorous testing process that ensures safety and reliability. While this testing happens behind the scenes, Tesla has now shared an inside look at the extensive array of internal test scenarios the FSD team undertakes for each release, with the testing designed to simulate some of the most challenging real-world driving conditions.
According to a post from the official Tesla AI account on X, Tesla’s FSD validation team undertakes a meticulous approach to evaluate and improve the software before each version is released to the public.
These tests are not just theoretical exercises however, they are inspired by real-world events reported by Tesla drivers, ensuring that the system can handle difficult, and sometimes dangerous, corner cases, according to Tesla’s VP of AI, Ashok Elluswamy.
The testing includes as least 16 key scenarios, including:
- Reverse Cut-in (Occluded): Simulating vehicles reversing into the driving path from obscured angles.
- Peeking (Occluded): Handling instances where vehicles or pedestrians edge into the driver’s view from hidden spots.
- Left Turn Cut-In: Navigating situations where another vehicle unexpectedly crosses into the car’s path during a left turn.
- Dynamic Debris (Dropped Cone): Managing unexpected obstacles, such as debris falling onto the roadway.
- High-Speed Crossing Child: Reacting to children suddenly crossing the street at higher speeds.
The track tests also include high-risk conditions that demand instantaneous and precise responses:
- High-Speed Stationary Child: The vehicle must detect and stop for a stationary child in its path at high speeds.
- Door Opening During Overtake: FSD anticipates and reacts to parked vehicles suddenly opening their doors.
- Cut-Out to Static Cone: Managing scenarios where a moving vehicle suddenly reveals a stationary obstacle ahead.
These scenarios represent some of the validation methods Tesla uses to refine FSD. According to Elluswamy, the company’s validation team tackles these challenging and, at times, “scary” scenarios to push the software to its limits. Each test in the videos shared by Tesla were conducted on the latest version of FSD, in this case, v12.5.6.3, before it was released.
Tesla’s engineers also emphasized the importance of optimizing “photon-to-control latency,” the time it takes for visual data to translate into action. This precision is crucial for achieving “superhuman safety,” as noted by FSD engineer Srihari Sampathkumar.
Here are the videos of each of the 16 test cases shared by Tesla.
2. Peeking (Occluded) pic.twitter.com/DO3RBhahdy
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
4. Parallel Cut-In (Occluded) pic.twitter.com/RbstvLU7Vo
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
6. Stop Sign Right-of-Way Violator pic.twitter.com/OHfvzP9t6A
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
8. Right Turn Harsh Braking pic.twitter.com/s4PldABmhK
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
10. Cut-Out to Static Cone pic.twitter.com/l4OYzLK6XB
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
12. U-Turn Cut-In (Occluded) pic.twitter.com/gp7H720mJd
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
14. High Speed Harsh Braking pic.twitter.com/YD76gh5b2m
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
16. High Speed Crossing Child pic.twitter.com/t6bxJpZOZn
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) November 24, 2024
