Way lit for hands-free driving but Hong Kong roads prove barriers abound

Cruising along an expressway in the heart of Hong Kong, other drivers wouldn’t be able to tell that a white Tesla was steering itself round a bend and changing lanes automatically – all done with the driver barely touching the wheel.

In fact, the driver zipped through traffic at times without stepping on the accelerator.

Locky Law, the Tesla representative at Charged Hong Kong, an organisation promoting electric vehicles in the city, took two South China Morning Post reporters on an exclusive test drive on the roads of Hong Kong.

The functions are all part of US-based electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla’s latest software update, which brings it a step closer to self-driving technology.

READ MORE: Tesla ‘hands free’ update gets rap on the knuckles from Hong Kong government as drivers warned not to use Autopilot update

With the help of radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors, the new “Autopilot” feature allows drivers of the Model S to automatically change lanes, adjust speed in traffic, steer within lanes and park. However, for legal and safety reasons and because the car is a beta version, Tesla requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and remain fully engaged.

As a passenger, you wouldn’t really be able to tell the difference if you had your eyes closed. But it’s a surreal experience when you see the steering wheel move by itself as the vehicle shifts into the next lane.