Ever wanted to travel around in your car but don’t want to actually drive? We’re not talking about having your very own driver but the car being on autopilot. That would be the dream.
This couple is living that dream travelling around Malaysia with their Tesla without ever putting their hands on the steering wheel. This may look like the life of luxury most people would want but if you’re not careful, you could get into some serious charges.
@sgpikarchu Crossed the custom within 45 minutes at midnight. Drove past KL, continuing up north! Go Tesla 🤓 #SgTeslaGoesMsia #EVboleh
@sgpikarchu Tesla SR+ can go Malaysia! Haha.Managed to drive about 700km from SG to Penang with M3 SR+ which has a max range of 420km. Real world range is around 380km depending on the person driving. #SgTeslaGoesMsia #EVboleh 🙂
For context, a Singaporean couple who owns a Tesla M3 SR+ posts videos of their travels and car functions on TikTok under the username @sgpikarchu. The first video of them coming to Malaysia from Singapore to test their Tesla’s autopilot system was posted on 1st April.
As reported by Guang Ming Daily, Malaysian authorities are currently investigating the couple who drove around Malaysia with their Tesla on autopilot. According Bukit Aman Traffic Investigations and Enforcement chief assistant director Superintendent Bakri Zainal Abidin, the couple’s actions were prohibited and the police will launch an investigation soon.
The reason for the investigation is that the Tesla apparently does not actually have a “full self-driving” system as of yet and still requires the driver’s attention. Superintendent Bakri Zainal said that, “The autopilot feature in Tesla cars is helpful to drivers, but it doesn’t mean that drivers can completely take their hands off the steering wheel and mistakenly think that the system can automatically and safely control the car.”
Even though Malaysia currently has no laws against automated driving, it’s understandable why it’d be reckless if the driver is not being attentive to the road when the car is on autopilot. The autopilot system does help when travelling but the driver should not be fully depend on it.
@sgpikarchu One of the main reasons why we choose Tesla. #SgTeslaGoesMsia #EVboleh
So far there has been no further updates from the authorities or from @sgpikarchu. One of their latest videos shows the couple driving their Tesla at night explaining why they got the Tesla and also clarifying that they do supervise the car when it’s on autopilot mode. They only take their hands off the wheel to showcase the function.
Sources: Mothership, GuangMingDaily
