Watch Tesla test self-driving cars for first time on busy London streets & Swindon's infamous ‘Magic Roundabout'
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TESLA has been showcasing its cutting-edge Full Self-Driving technology in the UK as part of preparations for a potential future rollout.
Led by billionaire Elon Musk, the US-based EV giant has been rigorously testing its FSD system across major European cities, including Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Berlin and Madrid, to demonstrate its ability to handle diverse and complex real-world road conditions.
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Tesla has begun testing its self-driving cars in the UK, with footage showing navigating the streets of London
Credit: Tesla Europe
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A Tesla Model 3 can be seen driving past iconic landmarks such as Big Ben and Parliament Square
Credit: Tesla Europe
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These demonstrations aim to showcase the system's ability to handle dynamic traffic situations
Credit: Tesla Europe
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The tech was even put through its paces by tackling the infamous Magic Roundabout in Swindon
Credit: Tesla Europe
In two videos, which debuted today and have been seen by Sun Motors, the company demonstrates a self-driving Tesla Model 3 navigating through central London and tackling the infamous Magic Roundabout in Swindon - known for its complexity.
These demonstrations aim to showcase the system's ability to handle dynamic traffic situations, pedestrians, cyclists, roadworks and the UK's challenging intersections.
The test in London sees the Tesla pass iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Parliament Square and Whitehall, while the system successfully manages diverse traffic conditions, signalling appropriately and delivering a smooth ride.
The FSD tech was also tested on this notoriously complicated intersection with five mini-roundabouts. Tesla demonstrated the system's ability to handle unpredictable traffic scenarios by navigating it multiple times.
The videos were filmed using a production Model 3 equipped with hardware identical to customer vehicles - but running an engineering test version of the software.
Tesla says they plan to evolve its vehicles towards unsupervised Full Self-Driving capabilities, with all of their current models - the Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y - equipped with Autopilot which will receive updates to enhance driver assistance features.
On their website, Tesla says they have used billions of miles of anonymous real-world driving data to train its Full Self-Driving system.
They claim that, when activated, their vehicles can navigate almost anywhere with active supervision, requiring only minimal input.
On-board cameras with 360-degree visibility monitor blind spots, allowing the cars to seamlessly shift into neighbouring lanes while maintaining speed and avoiding bikes, motorcycles and other vehicles.
The self-driving Tesla will also automatically identify and manoeuvre into both perpendicular and parallel parking spots with ease.
Watch Tesla test self-driving cars on London streets as it passes famous landmarks
Despite previous promises for self-driving cars to be rolled out in 2026., the new government has put back the date to the second half of 2027.
It is estimated that this new industry has the potential to be worth £42billion and provide 38,000 jobs by 2035.
Limited self-driving technology is currently permitted on UK roads, but a human driver must be behind the wheel at all times.
Recently, Uber revealed they were working with 18 automated car tech companies to help meet this new demand.
According to a 2024 YouGov poll, 37 per cent of Brits would feel 'very unsafe' travelling in a driverless car, although Americans seem to have quickly adapted - with the tech available in Arizona and California with self-driving taxi firm Waymo offering services in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles and parts of Silicon Valley.
In a recent statement the Department of Transport said: 'We are working quickly and will implement self-driving vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027.
'We are also exploring options for short-term trials and pilots to create the right conditions for a thriving self-driving sector.'
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