Tesla self-driving FSD software used in Australia for first time, does hook turn in Melbourne

Tesla has shocked many by releasing a video of its supervised full-self-driving (FSD) which shows a Tesla Model 3 driving on Australian roads without any driver input on its trip.

In a video on Tesla’s AI’s account, the company shows how the system performs on a journey from one end of the CBD to Crown, with the caption of the post saying: FSD (Supervised) testing in Melbourne, Australia, And yes, that’s a hook turn”.

During this trip, a black Model 3 sedan is seen with a driver entering the destination before the car drives to its destination, without any intervention.

On the way, the self-driving car is seen doing a unique turn, common in Melbourne, called the hook turn. This is quite a complicated technique for many drivers. 

The hook turn allows vehicles to make a right-hand turn from the left-hand lane and helps keep intersections clear for the city’s trams. 

Driving through the streets of Melbourne, the car drives down Little Bourke Street, which is quite a popular spot for restaurants and cafes. 

It navigates the narrow road, allowing pedestrians to cross safely, and then drives through the busy intersection of Swanston Street that follows that leg of the trip.

It’s also the first public video the company has released which shows the software doing a trip in right-hand-drive markets.

On the back of this, very excited FSD software owners in Australia, replied to the post with one YouTuber and Tesla enthusiast, Nash, saying: “Have been dreaming of this since 2018. Just can’t wait to see this trickle to our cars.”

Another said: “First FSD clip in RHD country and Australia!! Can not wait for the launch！It seems the launch is quite ready and could be pretty soon”.

Previously, the system has been spotted to be testing in US, Canada, Mexico, China and a few left-hand-drive European countries.

In February, a version of the FSD software was released in China. This was a monumental step for autonomous driving in the world’s biggest car market, which is also quite progressive in the usage of smart driving systems.

Soon after it’s launch in China, thousands of drivers started to test it in several common driving use cases.

One driver livestreamed their experience, showcasing how the system is performing around the city streets while navigating various different intersections and lane merges.

Another owner highlighted its capabilities to enter and navigate through underground carparks, avoiding barriers and other pedestrians in low-light conditions.

The rollout of FSD will improve the overall ownership experience and in time help reduce incidents across many parts of the world as Tesla continues its global expansion.

 The latest video is very impressive that Tesla cars are able to drive this on its own, while also highlighting how Tesla is able to train its FSD software to handle unique situations, like the hook turn, found in certain parts of the world.

This video’s release could provide a hint that Tesla’s FSD supervised software rollout could be in markets like Australia, in the not too distant future, creating further excitement amongst the EV community, which has waited many years for this to land down under.