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Tesla is putting serious emphasis on self-driving applications. The brand has big plans for autonomous vehicles like the incipient Robotaxi and Robovans. But the electric car marque also offers its self-driving suite in its current vehicles, like the popular Model Y. However, Tesla Autopilot isn’t infallible, and a YouTuber managed to fool the system with a painted wall à la “Looney Toons.”  

In a Wile E. Coyote sort of test, YouTuber Mark Rober discovered Tesla Autopilot could drop the ball with a painted wall

Tesla Autopilot isn’t the same as other current market self-driving applications. Rather than relying on technologies like radar or LiDAR, the Tesla suite uses cameras and AI to make driving judgments like when to slow down or stop. So former engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober decided to evaluate just how discerning Autopilot would be when presented with a cartoonish obstacle.

The test involved an arrow-straight road, a Tesla Model Y, and a painted wall. Typically, Tesla Autopilot will recognize an obstacle, like a person or a giant wall, using its sensor array. The vehicle can then “make the decision” to apply the brakes and stop before crashing into an obstacle. It often works, too. In one of Rober’s tests, the Model Y stopped well before it hit a mannequin using Autopilot at 40 mph.

However, when it was time to drive straight at the painted wall, the Model Y fared worse. Not only did the 4,500-lb EV hit the wall, it made no attempt to slow down or stop. Instead, the Model Y smashed through the wall like an all-electric Kool-Aid Man. Fortunately, the prop wall was a breakaway setup and didn’t cause much damage. However, a wall of more robust construction may have proved disastrous. 

“Tesla’s optical camera system would absolutely smash through a fake wall without even a slip tap on the brakes,” Rober said of the test. “It turns out my Tesla is more Wile E. Coyote and less Road Runner,” Rober joked after inspecting the cartoonish hole in the wall left behind by the Tesla.    

Autopilot failed where a LiDAR-equipped Lexus succeeded

Rober didn’t stop at putting Tesla Autopilot through testing. He pitted a LiDAR-equipped Lexus against similar tests. Like the Model Y, the Lexus used its laser array to identify and stop long before crashing into the mannequin at 40 mph.

However, the Lexus succeeded where the Tesla failed in the faux wall test. The Lexus used its LiDAR system to identify the wall and stop safely before crashing through. Check out the full video below!

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Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer, an admitted petrolhead, and an avid motorcyclist. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis. Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.