Tesla's Full Self-Driving Beta Dodges Deer On Dark Dirt Road

Tesla Inc's TSLA Autopilot and Full Self-Driving software packages are sometimes controversial, although safety data from Tesla shows that far less accidents occur while Autopilot is in use.

A video from a Tesla owner shows Tesla's FSD Beta software detecting a deer on a dark dirt road. The car applies the brakes and plans a path to drive around the deer.

Later in the video, two more deer are detected, but no action is required.

In the video, the owner shows the Tesla can drive itself on a private dirt road at night without headlights.

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Tesla's approach to autonomous vehicles is different than rivals like Alphabet Inc's GOOGL Waymo.

Tesla believes it can use cameras to allow vehicles to drive themselves similar to a way a person uses their eyes. Waymo uses lidar and pre-made HD Maps to guide its cars, in addition to the use of cameras.

Benzinga's Take: If cars ever do become fully self-driving, they will need to be able to deal with a range of scenarios. Animals crossing the road is a case that is common for many drivers.

If a self-driving car cannot detect and appropriately react to these types of situations, an autonomous taxi outside of tightly controlled city centers will not be possible. 

Photo courtesy of Tesla.