Tesla has received approval for its advanced driver assistance software "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" in the Netherlands, the first European country. The Dutch vehicle authority RDW approved the system, which handles most driving tasks on highways and in city traffic under human supervision. Tesla is seeking approvals in other European countries.
Tesla introduced the "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" software in the Netherlands on Friday, as the company announced. Prior to approval, the US manufacturer tested the system internally across Europe. The RDW stated that the assistance system can enhance road safety if used correctly.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has promised for years that Full Self-Driving will eventually enable Tesla vehicles to drive fully autonomously. In the current version, however, the driver remains responsible and must be ready to intervene at any time. The software has been available in the US for years; early on there were many errors, but Musk now highlights extensive improvements.
Tesla operates a factory in Grünheide near Berlin, where the bestseller Model Y is built. The approval could pave the way for other European markets.