Although it’s been only less than a week since Tesla (TSLA) released its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) version 13 to early access beta testers, we’re witnessing a ton of testing already done on it.
So far, FSD v13 has earned impressive reviews from the early access group testers (YouTubers, influencers, and Tesla retail investors). These testers have been putting out a lot of video content demonstrating FSD v13’s self-driving capabilities.
According to FSD v13 testers, the system has improved even beyond what Tesla mentioned in the software’s release notes. FSD v13 has made Autopilot driving smoother multi-fold even compared to v12.
Watching and making notes from FSD v13 reminded me of Elon Musk’s ‘smooth as silk Autopilot update‘ from back in 2017. I covered the reviews of this Autopilot 2 update at the time. If you ask me, FSD v13 is the real smooth as silk update even when compared to the latest versions like 11 and 12.
The current version with early access testers is FSD v13.2 (2024.39.10) which is a limited-release update. Tesla plans to roll out FSD v13.3 as a wide release but a solid timeline of this point-release update has yet to be announced by the tech automaker.
So far, the extensive testing done by early access members shows that FSD v13 has gained significantly more confidence compared to the previous version. Even in difficult scenarios, Tesla vehicles driven by FSD v13 aren’t much confused and handle them confidently.
FSD v13.2 Reviews
We’re going to include AI DRIVR’s review here who is constantly putting out FSD v13.2 videos — putting the system through varying scenarios and stress tests.
The reason for choosing this specific beta tester is that he is fairly unbiased along with Chuck Cook. These reviewers also point out issues with the FSD (Supervised) system whenever they’re able to identify one.
Improvements demonstrated in this new FSD v13 test videos have created a positive outlook of Tesla’s Autopilot Full Self-Driving system. The latest FSD 13 update exudes positivity around the possibility of Unsupervised FSD coming to Texas and California next year.
Let’s go through the review videos.
Night Drive by AI DRIVR
AI DRIVR posted a nighttime drive video of FSD v13. The title of this video says “FSD 13 is MIND BLOWING”. And this is what his video review shows the world, the possibility of Full Self-Driving Unsupervised might be closer than most of the world thinks.
Zero trouble, zero drama, zero harsh inputs — even when kind of unexpected things happen — it’s just smooth all the time.
AI DRIVR
FSD v13.2: Key Takeaways and Issues
- FSD v13 parking lot performance (park, unpark, reverse parking) has improved manyfold
- Tesla FSD v13 demonstrated human-like behavior in various scenarios, for example, it gave way to a passing van that was going over lanes to make its way
- Tesla vehicle detected hard braking of a vehicle ahead of the vehicle in front, slowed down, and changed lane smoothly and with confidence to avoid decreasing distance/potential collision (most probably used the new radar in HW4 vehicles)
- The biggest issue during this FSD v13 drive was the car hitting a big pothole which was pretty obvious, perhaps Tesla should consider installing a bumper camera like the Cybertruck
- A single disengagement/intervention happened because FSD v13 crept into the Keep Clear section of the road behind an ambulance
- FSD v13 behaves differently in front of Stop signs and usually drops to 1 mph and later realizes milliseconds later that it has to go to 0 mph (should be fixed in FSD v13.3 wide release)
- Tesla cars running on FSD v13.2 seem to get confused when to reverse when it hits a dead end
- Coming out of Park, if the vehicle needs to take a left, it slightly turns right first then takes the turn (human-like behavior)
- Improved speed inside parking lots and taking speed bumps better than the previous version (FSD v12)
- Steering wheel jitter in parking lots is fixed
- FSD v13 handles pedestrians exponentially better, not stopping or even slowing down — just drives around them at a safe distance (natural/human-like handling)
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Related Autopilot / FSD News
- A glimpse of Unsupervised FSD, watch Tesla owner eat as her car drives itself on Autopilot
- Tesla FSD v13.2.7 (2024.45.32.15) rollout gets wider (review videos)
- FSD v12.6.3 is the best version for HW3/AI3 Tesla cars yet (review videos)
- Tesla’s AI4 Model S, 3, X, and Y get the new FSD v13.2.6 OTA update (Release Notes)
- Tesla pushes Cybertruck FSD v13.2.6 with new improvements and teases upcoming ones (Release Notes)
- Skeptics of FSD are the only ones who haven’t tried it, Elon Musk on Tesla Q4 2024 Earnings Call — key takeaways
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