Tesla Model 3: Does the Stromer also brake for dogs and cats?

Created: 03/24/2022, 13:36

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

Does Tesla's emergency brake assistant only recognize pedestrians - or does Elon Musk's Stromer also brake for dogs and cats?

A YouTuber tried it.

London – Although the Tesla brand has existed for a few years now, Elon Musk's (50) vehicles are still polarizing.

While some are convinced that the Texan Stromer brand is technically far ahead of the other manufacturers, others consider this assumption to be a major problem: The "autopilot" feature - especially in its highest configuration "Full Self-Driving" (FSD ) – is highly controversial.

The system is overestimated by many, and accidents, some of them serious, happen again and again.

In particular, the fact that beta versions of the FSD software are tested on public roads is met with sharp criticism.

Now a YouTuber has tested another Tesla feature – the emergency brake assistant.

Other manufacturers also have it on board, such as Volvo – the brand that serves as a comparison object in the test, like 24auto.

Tesla Model 3: Does the Stromer also brake for dogs and cats?

Important: The experiment by YouTuber Mat Watson from the Carwow sales platform is not about “autopilot” functions, which many Germans are currently skeptical about.

It's about when the emergency brake assistant intervenes if the driver doesn't react to obstacles.

Watson tested the automatic braking function in five situations: with a stationary car, a pedestrian, a kangaroo, a dog and a cat.

Does a Tesla Model 3 brake automatically for a cat?

A YouTuber wanted to find out.

(Iconic image) © TT/Imago

Tesla Model 3 against Volvo V90: YouTuber tests emergency brake assistant

Of course, no real animals were put in any danger for the video (found below) - plush variants of a kangaroo and dog as well as a stuffed cat were used.

The pedestrian is also a cardboard companion – to be precise: an Elon Musk cardboard companion.

The car's speed during the trials, according to Watson: 20 to 30 miles per hour (about 32 to 48 km/h).

In the first attempt, the YouTuber wants to know whether a stationary car is recognized - the parked vehicle is a foil dummy for safety reasons.

Mat Watson drives towards it with the Tesla Model 3 – the Stromer warns and brakes on its own in good time.

"Pretty impressive," says the YouTuber.

The Volvo V90 also masters the test shortly afterwards and brakes in good time.

Although the Swede may have noticed the obstacle later, Mat Watson notes.

Tesla Model 3 also stops for a plush kangaroo

In the next lap, Elon Musk's cardboard comrade is on the track: The Volvo brakes in good time, as does the Tesla - again even a little earlier than the Swede.

Now it's the animals' turn - candidate number one is the plush kangaroo.

The Tesla puts itself on the brakes in time and stops – according to the YouTuber, however, the car recognized a pedestrian.

Things don't fare so well for the kangaroo at the Volvo, the V90 just thunders over it.

Tesla Model 3 against Volvo V90: The stuffed animal dog is run over by both

Then a plush dog is placed on the track – the attempt turns out badly for the four-legged friend: neither Volvo nor Tesla brakes – and rolls over him.

At the very end there is the cat experiment, in which only the Tesla competes - but as can be assumed here - no chance: the animal is run over.

However, the emergency braking systems are probably not faulty, but simply not programmed to stop for small animals - because legally there can be trouble if a driver brakes hard for a small animal and this leads to subsequent accidents.