Elon Musk’s Tesla seems to have dropped a massive feature in China as it has been reported that the company launched something similar to its full self-driving (FSD) technology called the Urban Road Autopilot Assistance (URAA) feature.
The URAA sounds like the FSD on paper as it can take the wheel from the driver, drive through traffic, enter and exit highways, and do other similar maneuvers.
However, it is now being criticized as a less-capable FSD counterpart for the Chinese region and is unlike what Tesla has available in other places, including the United States and Canada.
Did Tesla Release the FSD in China?
There are now reports and actual footage shared online about Tesla’s latest FSD-like feature that was reportedly released in China. It was revealed that the so-called URAA feature is similar to the FSD as it features the same interface in the EV’s infotainment system, including the blue line graphics that show its driving path and the people it detects on the roads.
However, it has raised some eyebrows, and a report from Not a Tesla App claims that it remains unclear if this is Tesla China’s version of the FSD. Reuters also notes in its report that the feature is still not yet well-versed on Chinese roads and traffic laws as of press time.
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Tesla China URAA: ‘Less Capable’ Than North America Version
Additionally, Reuters shared that this is a “less capable” version of the North American FSD, according to unnamed sources, but there is still no official word from Tesla China itself.
The software update is now reportedly rolling out gradually to users who bought the feature for 64,000 yuan (approximately $8,800) and is only available for vehicles with the “HW 4.0” or Tesla Model 3 and Model Y EVs that were built in China last year, according to Bloomberg.
Tesla and Its Full-Self Driving Autonomous Feature
Tesla and Elon Musk have long raved about the FSD feature as the future of the automotive industry, particularly as it is a powerful, smart, safe, and reliable technology exclusive to its electric vehicles.
However, it has been faced with doubts and criticisms after Tesla’s name was tarnished by multiple incidents involving its autonomous driving technology, and it is now basked in infamy because of the accidents.
As of writing, Tesla has released what is called the “Supervised” version, with the company facing a tough time in marketing it to drivers because of said incidents. Because of this, Tesla has offered the FSD Supervised version’s subscription price at only $99 per month, which is half of its original pricing.
As Tesla is known for expanding its reach to other regions, other countries are bound to receive the FSD feature. Such seems to be the case with China, but it seems as the feature has not impressed thus far.
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