Is a Tesla in Autopilot Capable of Pulling Over by Itself After Being Lit Up by a Cop?

Current Limitations of Tesla Autopilot

At present, a Tesla in Autopilot mode is not capable of pulling over by itself after being signaled by a cop. Tesla's Autopilot is designed as a driving assistance system, not an Automated Driving System (ADS). The driver remains responsible for monitoring the road and responding to emergency vehicles and police signals.

The framework for an ADS requires the vehicle to detect and respond to emergency vehicles, as well as pull over for law enforcement. By definition, an ADS must be capable of driving a vehicle without any human assistance, hence it must meet traffic laws. However, it is important to note that Tesla's current Autopilot is not yet an ADS in this sense.

Why a Tesla would Get Pulled Over

In the majority of scenarios, a Tesla in Autopilot mode would not be pulled over, assuming it is operating within the law. For instance, it should not be speeding or performing illegal turns. A common misunderstanding is that the car will speed up to match a new higher speed limit set on the highway, but this is not the case. My Model 3, for example, does not go over the speed limit in Autopilot; it slows down for lower speeds but does not speed up for new higher limits. As a responsible driver, I still have to take control and adjust the speed.

Similarly, even with the Full Self Driving (FSD) update, the car would not commit traffic infringements in my understanding. The system lacks the capability to respond automatically to flashing lights from law enforcement. Therefore, unless the car is performing some specific action that necessitates intervention by law enforcement, it is unlikely to be pulled over for a traffic violation.

Future Capabilities and Programming

It is theoretically possible that with the Full Self Driving system, a Tesla could be equipped with the necessary technology to pull over in response to emergency lights. However, this would involve complex programming to differentiate a valid demand from a potential fraudulent signal. This would include the detection of specific patterns in the light signals and possibly even the ability to communicate with the law enforcement vehicle to confirm the request.

The presence of 360° vision and advanced sensor technology in Tesla vehicles means there is the potential for the system to recognize and respond to such external signals. However, it is crucial to ensure that the system is robust enough to distinguish between genuine requests and potentially malicious or prank triggers.

Conclusion

Currently, a Tesla in Autopilot mode is not capable of pulling over by itself in response to a cop's lights due to the limitations in its current system. However, as technology advances and Full Self Driving becomes more sophisticated, it may become a possibility in the future. It all comes down to the level of programming and robustness of the sensor technology to ensure that the system can operate safely and reliably.