In May 2016, I took my first drive in an Autopilot-enabled Tesla. Sitting behind the wheel of the Model S, I navigated down 280 South in California, as the car drove around curves in the highway, adjusted speed, and even switched lanes autonomously. This was Autopilot 7.0, still in beta mode.
Here’s the Tesla headquarters in Palo Alto, CA.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here’s the lobby with a high-tech check-in system, where I picked up my photo badge.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
As of May 26, 2016, Tesla’s live map showed that 20,438,939 gallons of gas had been saved.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here I am, standing next to the Tesla Model S I was about to test out.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
A Tesla representative showed me the Telsa key–a mini model of the car. It would be hard to misplace this!
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here’s the front-end camera that helps enable Autopilot by detecting objects 500 feet in front of the car.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here’s a reminder to update the software. You can schedule it, or do it manually.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here’s an example of an over-the-air auto-update–this one is for the doors in a Model X.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
This is what it looks like to charge the Tesla. You can schedule it, or do it manually.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here I am, after just enabling Autopilot! We’re driving 75 mph.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here’s the view of I-280 South, a 4-lane highway in Palo Alto, CA.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
This is the map of where I drove, through the Los Altos Hills.
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Here’s what the car looked like after it had parallel-parked itself in Palo Alto. Not bad!
SEE: Tesla Autopilot: Behind the wheel of the world’s first AI-powered driving experience
Hope Reese is a writer based in Louisville, Kentucky, currently living in Budapest. Her work has appeared in the Atlantic, the Boston Globe, Vox, Vice and other publications.
