Draft #4: Product summary and Analysis

Tesla (2019) states that all their new vehicles as of 2019 can provide Tesla’s Autopilot functions and completely utilize the self-driving function in time to come. Autopilot is a driver assistance system that provides multiple sophisticated functions for safety and convenience, such as the ability for the vehicle to modify its speed and guide itself within its own lane.

To perform such advanced functions, Tesla’s vehicles possess multiple cameras and sensors, as well as a powerful on-board computer which enables the vehicle to detect obstacles and set its course regardless of weather and traffic conditions.

When full self-driving becomes available, Tesla vehicles can find the optimal way to the destination and guide itself there, with users only having to select the destination. Upon reaching the users' destination, the vehicle can even look for a lot and park itself. While Tesla vehicles are still unable to perform complete self-driving as of 2019, all current Tesla cars have the required components to adopt this function when it becomes available through program updates.

With these unique and advanced functions, Tesla's Autopilot stands out amongst its competitors in terms of convenience and safety.

Tesla's Autopilot system surpasses its competitors in terms of safety. Autopilot helps users to stay safe on the roads through various advanced functions, such as guiding the car it's own lane, as well as modifying the vehicle's speed according to traffic conditions to ensure a safe journey. While many other competitor systems possess similar functions, Autopilot outperforms them. According to Silver(2018), Tesla's Autopilot outclassed four other competitor systems in terms of lane staying ability.

Additionally, Autopilot enhances safety by utilizing the advanced sensor system in its vehicles. This is achieved through its safety functions, such as automatic emergency braking and light adjustment, blind spot detection as well as collision warnings on the front and side of the vehicle, which utilize sensors to detect and avoid hazards on the road.

Another way which Autopilot differentiates itself from competitors is in terms of convenience. Autopilot brings convenience to its users through functions such as Smart Summon and Navigate. Through Smart Summon, users can get their vehicle to drive automatically towards their location in a parking lot through a smartphone application. Smart Summon thus eliminates inconveniences such as having to walk to the car in the rain and carrying bulky items to the car. Additionally, Autopilot has the Autopark function as well, which automatically parks the car for the user in both parallel and perpendicular lots without requiring the user to be in the vehicle. These functions are unique to Tesla and allow Autopilot to eclipse its competitors in terms of convenience.

Autopilot's Navigate function also brings about multiple functions for convenience, such as recommending and completing lane changes, navigating on a highway, as well as automatically driving towards indicated exits(Tesla, 2019). Comparatively, many competitors only have cruise control, whereby their vehicles are unable to complete lane changes even when the driver assistance system is activated. Furthermore, the ability to take the correct exit prevents users from potentially missing their exits by accident and this undoubtedly brings about added convenience to users.

Next, Tesla sends constant software updates to introduce and upgrade functions online, such as full self-driving capabilities. While full self-driving may not be available yet due to stringent regulations, Tesla predicts that this function would become available at the beginning of 2020, which is the earliest amongst Tesla's competitors (Walker, 2019). According to Afshar (2019), Tesla is three years ahead of its competitors in terms of its hardware and development in 'thinking' computer systems as well as user's driving information. In comparison, other competitors may require users to head down to their locations for updates or even purchase a new vehicle to receive such new functions. Comparatively, Tesla's users enjoy the convenience of receiving software upgrades on the air, saving them from the extra hassle.

In conclusion, Tesla would be a top pick for drivers in the market for a vehicle with a driver assistance system. Tesla's Autopilot provides a multitude of unique functions that enhance both the user's safety and convenience. These functions give Tesla a comparative advantage over its competitors and thus, makes Tesla an unrivalled option for drivers looking for a vehicle with a driver assistance system.

References

Afshar, V. (2019). Tesla is three years ahead of all its competitors. Zdnet.com Retrieved October 14, 2019, from https://www.zdnet.com/article/ark-invest-tesla-is-three-years-ahead-of-all-its-competitors/

Silver, D. (2018). Tesla Model 3 Autopilot outperforms competitors in lane-keeping test. Forbes.com 

Retrieved October 14, 2019, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidsilver/2018/08/15/tesla-model-3-autopilot-outperforms-model-s-competitors-in-lane-keeping-test/#754f9d082977

Tesla. (n.d.) Autopilot. Retrieved October 14, 2019, from https://www.tesla.com/autopilot

Walker, J. (2019). The Self-Driving Car Timeline – Predictions from the Top 11 Global Automakers. Retrieved October 17, 2019, from https://emerj.com/ai-adoption-timelines/self-driving-car-timeline-themselves-top-11-automakers/

Edited on 24/11/19