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Mark Rober’s Tesla Test Highlights Gaps in Camera-Only Autonomy

The viral video contrasts Tesla's camera-based system with LiDAR, reigniting debates over autonomous vehicle safety and technology choices.

The dashboard of a Tesla Model X is seen at a showroom for the US electric vehicle maker at a mall in the Changning district of Shanghai on February 25, 2025.
© Mark Rober/YouTube
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In a showdown of technology, Mark Rober's experiment placed a Tesla Autopilot against a LiDAR-equipped vehicle, revealing significant shortcomings in Tesla's camera-only system when faced with a cleverly disguised fake wall.

Overview

  • Mark Rober's video shows Tesla's Autopilot system failing to detect obstacles in fog, rain, and a fake wall designed to resemble a road, while a LiDAR-equipped vehicle performed successfully.
  • The test used Tesla's older Autopilot system rather than its latest Full Self-Driving software, leading some critics to question the test's relevance.
  • Elon Musk has long defended Tesla's camera-only approach, calling LiDAR unnecessary, while most industry leaders use LiDAR alongside other sensors for reliability.
  • The video has amassed over 10 million views in two days, bringing renewed attention to safety concerns and regulatory scrutiny surrounding Tesla's driver-assistance systems.
  • Luminar, the LiDAR company involved in the test, saw a significant stock surge following the video's release, reflecting growing interest in its technology.