Bicycle professor praises Tesla's self-driving demonstration in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, Tesla conducted a demonstration of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology amid the city's bustling bicycle traffic. During this demonstration, which was part of the company's ongoing effort to secure regulatory approval for its FSD feature in Europe, only a limited number of cyclists and pedestrians were depicted. Notably, Tesco's promotional videos did not display any of the typical challenges faced by autonomous vehicles, there were no visible glitches or accidents. Tesla's FSD technology has been marketed since 2016 with claims of partial autonomy, though the vehicle still requires active driver supervision, as indicated on the company’s online disclaimer. The FSD's portrayal as driverless capability has spurred skepticism, especially since it may suddenly make unexpected maneuvers requiring immediate driver intervention. This aspect raises concerns about how the FSD will manage real-world scenarios, especially in densely populated urban centers where pedestrian and cyclist presence is high. As Tesla prepares for a modest rollout of driverless Model Y vehicles in Austin, Texas, experts like Branislav Brömmelstroet, known as the Bicycle Professor, have expressed a level of acceptance for the recent FSD demonstration. Brömmelstroet noted there were 'no big issues' observed during the test and suggested that autonomous vehicles could incentivize people to reclaim public street space. However, he also cautioned that automakers might exploit perceived flaws in autonomous vehicles to become more aggressive on roadways. Meanwhile, experts like Peter Norton have warned that while Tesla's FSD generally behaves like a careful human driver, it may also act aggressively to prioritize convenience for passengers, demonstrating tendencies to disregard traffic rules. The ongoing dialogue centers around the integration of autonomous vehicles within urban traffic and the broader implications for city planning and pedestrian safety.