Tesla’s major Australian announcement with self-driving technology on its way

Tesla’s long-awaited self-driving technology is finally coming to Australia, with the company confirming its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system will be rolled out “very soon”.

Australia and New Zealand will be the first markets in the world to receive the right-hand drive version, marking a major milestone for Tesla’s expansion.

FSD Supervised uses cameras and advanced software to accelerate, brake, steer and navigate traffic all on its own, without the driver having to touch the wheel.

Tesla says after recent testing in Australia, it’s capable of handling traffic lights, roundabouts, intersections, and even tricky manoeuvres like Melbourne‘s hook turns.

Paul Maric, founder of CarExpert.com.au says FSD represents a significant step beyond features Australians are used to, like cruise control and lane assist.

“Previously Tesla had autonomy in their cars, but they always required you to hold the wheel. It would remind you to hold the wheel. This situation allows you to let go of the wheel as long as you’re sitting in the car and are able to control it,” Paul said.

A driver facing camera monitors eye movement, so if the driver looks away or gets distracted a series of warnings will sound.

If those are ignored, the system will shut down.

“It basically blacklists you from using that feature from the rest of the drive. You have to pull over, stop the car and restart the entire system” Paul said.

Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is classified as a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System, which means the driver must stay attentive and is legally responsible for the vehicle at all times.

Head of Public Policy at RACQ Dr Michael Kane said that classification means Australian road rules don’t need to change.

“We will have issues if people don’t take the full responsibility for their car. So you’re the driver, you’re responsible. This is to assist you, you cannot hand the responsibility over to a software package. You’re in control if things go wrong, it will be your fault.” Dr Kane said.

“You’re required both by the system and by law to be fully alert and fully under control of the car and if there is a crash and the fault is at your end, you may be charged.”

In the US, where FSD (Supervised) has been available for years, Tesla has been hit with multiple lawsuits after crashes.

But Tesla says the risk and responsibility is with the driver.

“In most of the crashes that have actually happened the driver has been distracted. That is kind of the catch all that they’re [Tesla] using to get out paying some of the fines that they’re incurring.” Paul Maric said.

The first Australian Tesla owners to benefit from the tech will be customers who own Model 3 and Model Y cars running the latest HW4 hardware.

But enabling the tech won’t come cheap.

The FSD package will cost $10,000, or there will be a monthly subscription model, but the price of that hasn’t been revealed.

7NEWS was invited to test drive the new technology. Watch the full report tonight at 6pm.