Tesla tests its "Full Self-Driving" in Madrid

Madrid has become the new testing ground for Tesla's advanced Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system. Elon Musk's company has begun testing its "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" technology on the busy streets of Madrid, following in the footsteps of other major European cities such as Paris, Rome, and Berlin.

The goal is clear: to obtain approval from European regulatory bodies to make this innovative feature available to customers on the continent in the coming months.

The Supervised FSD system is already operating in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China, and its arrival in Europe represents a crucial step in the global expansion of Tesla's autonomous vision.

The American firm is working intensively with authorities to accelerate its implementation, both in new vehicles and in existing ones through software updates.

According to the brand, a production Tesla Model 3—equipped with the same hardware already in customer cars—autonomously navigates through iconic Madrid landmarks. From the majestic Puerta de Alcalá and the Cibeles Fountain, bordering Retiro Park, to exploring the lively streets of the city center and residential neighborhoods, the system demonstrates its ability to manage complex urban scenarios.

This test demonstrates how fully (supervised) autonomous driving reacts safely and efficiently to the presence of vehicles and pedestrians, ensuring a smooth journey for occupants. The only difference between the test vehicle and a production vehicle is the software, which is a development version.

Currently, all Tesla models already include the Autopilot system as standard, which the company says significantly improves driving safety and convenience. However, Tesla's ambition goes further. The vision for the future is for all its vehicles—including the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y—to have Full Unsupervised Self-Driving capabilities, a goal that will be achieved through continuous updates that will incorporate new assistance features and pave the way for full autonomy.

Tesla's approach is based on a purely visual architecture, powered by neural networks trained on billions of real-world use cases. By dispensing with more expensive sensors like LiDAR and high-definition maps, the company is seeking a more scalable and safer deployment across a wide variety of geographies and situations. The philosophy is to mimic human driving: relying exclusively on vision and powerful processing.

Tesla argues that its driver-assistance technologies are not only the future of the future, but are already making roads safer. The company cites data from the first quarter of 2025 suggesting that drivers using Autopilot technology are ten times less likely to be involved in an accident than the average driver. This argument, if confirmed by the expansion of Supervised Driving Safety (FSD), could transform the perception of road safety in Europe.