Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Test in Melbourne Not Approved

Tesla recently conducted full self-driving tests in central Melbourne without approval from the Victorian government. Earlier this year, Tesla shared a video on social media showing its autonomous vehicle navigating busy streets, claiming it successfully completed Melbourne’s famous “hook turn.” However, Victoria’s Department of Transport stated that no full self-driving vehicle tests had been authorized in central Melbourne and that it would continue to engage with Tesla.

Michael Milford, Director of the Robotics Centre at Queensland University of Technology, expressed concern that the vehicle was operating in densely populated areas, where the driver might not be able to intervene in time, posing safety risks. He noted that although self-driving technology performs well in certain environments, it still faces challenges in complex urban traffic.

Tesla plans to launch its “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” feature in Australia but has not yet received official approval. Experts recommend obtaining formal permission from relevant authorities before conducting such tests to ensure public safety.