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Popular YouTuber tests Tesla's Autopilot against a car equipped with the tech Elon Musk loves to hate

Mar 18, 2025 - businessinsider.com
YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober conducted tests comparing Tesla's Autopilot with a LiDAR-equipped car to evaluate obstacle detection capabilities. The Tesla Model Y on Autopilot successfully detected a child mannequin in certain conditions but struggled in extreme fog, rain, and a painted wall test, unlike the LiDAR system, which passed all tests. Elon Musk has previously criticized LiDAR, advocating for camera-based technology as sufficient for self-driving cars, arguing that humans navigate using eyes and neural networks, which cameras and AI can replicate.

Rober's tests highlighted limitations in Tesla's Autopilot, particularly in challenging weather conditions and artificial scenarios like the painted wall. While some criticized Rober for not using Tesla's more advanced Full-Self-Driving beta software, he defended his methodology by sharing raw footage. The tests underscore the ongoing debate about the best technology for self-driving systems, with Musk claiming Tesla's Autopilot is significantly safer than average cars, a statement some experts find misleading.

Key takeaways:

  • Mark Rober tested Tesla's Autopilot against a LiDAR-equipped car, highlighting Tesla's struggles in extreme conditions like fog and rain.
  • Elon Musk has criticized LiDAR, advocating for camera-based technology for self-driving cars, despite the test showing limitations of Tesla's system.
  • The Lexus with LiDAR passed all tests, demonstrating the effectiveness of LiDAR in obstacle detection compared to Tesla's Autopilot.
  • Some criticized the test for not using Tesla's more advanced Full-Self-Driving beta software, which is a paid upgrade.
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