Tesla ‘FSD’ vs. Leading Chinese ADAS Systems: An In-Depth Comparison
Introducing Tesla's "FSD" system in China has sparked significant interest, particularly given its training on publicly available footage of complex Chinese roads. A recent study by CarNewsChina has compared the "FSD" system's performance to that of ADAS systems from leading Chinese brands such as Xpeng, Xiaomi, Li Auto, Smart, and Volkswagen.
Tesla's "FSD" an acronym for "Full Self-Driving" is somewhat of a misnomer. It represents an advanced driver assistance system that requires continuous driver supervision. In China, it is officially known as "FSD智能辅助驾驶软件" which translates to "FSD Intelligent Assisted Driving Software". Chinese bloggers evaluated this performance by testing the vehicles under identical road conditions.
In a compelling demonstration, AutoLab broadcasted a live test featuring the 2024 Tesla Model Y equipped with HW 4.0 V13.2.6 and the Xpeng P7+ Long Range Max sporting XOS 5.5.4.8901. The vehicles tackled a challenging roundabout; both navigated the first exit flawlessly. However, during a subsequent test, the Tesla Model Y delayed its lane change, requiring driver intervention, thus failing to complete the manoeuvre due to an obstructive vehicle on the left.
Another AutoLab session broadcast via Weibo lasted 1 hour and 21 minutes. It focused on the Tesla Model Y’s FSD V13 compared to Xiaomi’s SU7 running HyperOS 1.5.5. Despite attempts to follow identical routes, slight deviations occurred. The Xiaomi vehicle showed remarkable system stability and maintained a higher average speed than the Tesla, which required driver intervention six times due to various challenges, including unexpected lane changes and emergency stops.
The longest AutoLab test lasted over three hours, and the Tesla Model Y V13 was compared with the Li Auto L9 AD Max V13. Both vehicles demonstrated issues, with the Tesla requiring driver intervention 16 times compared to 10 for the Li Auto.
Another test involved the Smart #5 equipped with Smart OS 2.1.1 CN and the Tesla Model Y V13. Throughout this 90-minute test, the Smart vehicle required fewer driver interventions than the Tesla, indicating areas where Tesla’s system could improve.
Despite some setbacks, Tesla's "FSD" system shows considerable potential in China's dynamic driving environment. It competes closely with domestic ADAS technologies. Its ability to navigate complex traffic scenarios, albeit with some necessary driver interventions, points to promising future enhancements.
