Is Tesla FSD v12 Finally Level 3 Autonomous Driving?

Did Tesla Just Add AI to FSD Version 12?

Hi there—Suzuki from Eco Drive.

Today I’d like to share my own perspective as a Tesla fan on the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.

[Update] Our FSD V12 Test-Drive Report Is Now Live!

You can now experience the new build yourself in Eco Drive’s Model 3.

We’ve posted a detailed hands-on review—read it here:

What Is FSD (Full Self-Driving)?

FSD is Tesla’s in-house autonomous-driving software, currently released only as a public beta.

To use it, you have to follow strict rules.

• You must keep your hands on the wheel at all times; if you let go for too long, the system disengages.
• Break the guidelines repeatedly and Tesla can lock you out of the beta for up to a week.
  (The exact penalty window changes from update to update.)

Most owners are still on Version 11, which relies on cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and radar—so it’s classified as advanced driver assistance, not true autonomy.

That’s why the upcoming Version 12 has everyone buzzing: many believe it could push FSD to the next level.

AI Could Power the Next Big Jump

Elon Musk has already teased that Version 12 will roll out with a brand-new AI engine.

He says roughly 99 percent of FSD’s code will be rewritten, driven by deep-learning models trained on Tesla’s enormous library of real-world driving video.

Many owners—and analysts—think this update could finally push FSD from Level 2 to Level 3 autonomy.

My Hopes as a Daily FSD User

V12 has been limited to Tesla employees and a handful of influencers, so I haven’t tested it yet.

Update: V12 just opened to the wider public! I’ll post my full impressions soon.

I use the Model 3 for my daily commute, and—hands resting on the wheel—the car handles almost every task on its own. It’s incredibly convenient.

I believe this kind of tech could totally reshape personal mobility: fewer crashes, less congestion, and a big drop in driver stress.

With its new AI brain, Version 12 should push autonomy even further—and I can’t wait to see what it can do.

FSD Is Amazing—but Still Rough Around the Edges

Even though the future looks bright, I still hit situations where FSD needs work.

For example, the system sometimes struggles on single-lane roads when it has to decide whether—or how—to pass a parked car up ahead. It can also try to slip around the car in front of me while I’m waiting to turn left at a red light, which feels downright risky.

I’ve even seen it dart back into the original lane and slam the brakes after a pass—definitely not a move you’d call “natural.”

I’m eager to see how future updates iron out these quirks. Self-driving tech is still a work in progress, and once Tesla solves issues like these, everyday driving should get even safer and smoother.

Try Tesla’s Self-Driving Tech—Now Available for Rent

Interest in Tesla’s autonomous driving seems to grow by the day.

After a visitor from Japan asked if they could rent a self-driving Tesla, we decided to launch a rental program here at Eco Drive.

You can now book the very Model 3 I drive myself.

Curious how real customers feel? Check an interview here:

We set up this service so people can experience Tesla’s autonomy firsthand and share their feedback with us.

I’ll be posting a full V12 road-test report soon, so stay tuned!

Will Level-4 Autonomy Rewrite the Auto-Insurance Rulebook?

With Tesla’s Full Self-Driving edging into Level 3, the obvious next milestone is Level 4—and that could be a game-changer.

At Level 4 you’d be free to nap, read, or binge videos on your commute, turning travel time into real downtime.

That alone would flip our daily routines, but there’s an even bigger shift: liability. When a car drives itself, the blame in a crash migrates from the human driver to the manufacturer. If that happens, the whole insurance model has to pivot. How much risk—and cost—will still sit on the driver’s shoulders?

The video below uses live FSD footage as a backdrop while we break down where autonomous tech stands today.
Give it a watch!

The videos embedded in this article are narrated in Japanese, but English subtitles are available.

Please turn them on to follow along.

You can read the full article here.

What’s Next for Tesla? A Look Beyond FSD

In this post we’ve focused on Version 12 of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD), but there are plenty of other reasons Tesla stays in the spotlight.

The 2024 Tesla Annual Shareholder Meeting revealed three standout storylines worth tracking—let’s run through them.

1. Robotaxi Network

At the latest shareholder meeting, Elon Musk laid out concrete steps for Tesla’s robotaxi rollout—fully driverless cabs.

Owners will be able to flip their cars into “fleet mode,” letting them operate as autonomous taxis and earn income when they’re otherwise parked.

Everyone’s watching to see how this could upend the auto and ride-hailing industries.

2. Optimus Humanoid Robot

Tesla is also pouring resources into its humanoid robot, Optimus.

According to Elon Musk, the long-term vision is a world where robots outnumber humans two-to-one.

Even more eye-opening is the target price: roughly $20,000 per unit—cheaper than many new cars.

Musk says eventual production could hit 100 million robots a year, a scale that would completely reshape how we live and work.

3. Tesla Semi Electric Truck

Tesla’s all-electric Class-8 truck—the Semi—is quietly shaping up to be a logistics game-changer.

PepsiCo, Walmart, UPS, and other giants have already placed orders, betting the Semi can slash operating costs and boost efficiency.

If the truck delivers on its promises, it could rewrite the economics of long-haul freight and set a new standard for the industry.

I’ve rounded up all the key takeaways from Tesla’s 2024 shareholder meeting—including deeper dives on these three stories—in the post below.

Read the article version here.