How Realistic Is Tesla’s Plan to Drive Across the U.S. Completely Autonomously?

"Bryant Walker Smith, an automotive engineer and lawyer who specializes in autonomous driving, said he believes the trip is definitely possible, but that people need to understand the difference between fully autonomous driving and partial automation. In this case, partial automation means it’s not full-time self-driving, but rather a mode that can be switched on where the car can handle all the driving without the need for human input. This would classify as level 4 automation and anything under level 4 is basically advanced cruise control that can brake and steer.

“The important point that people miss is that they talk about automated driving as if it’s one specific technology that exists, and that’s just not true,” said Smith, who also teaches at the University of South Carolina as an assistant professor. “It’s a range of technologies and applications, many of which are only under research and development, and some of which are deployed in limited context,” he said."