Mark Rober faces backlash over Tesla autopilot test, accused of misleading viewers
Courtesy: X
YouTuber Mark Rober is facing heavy criticism online after releasing a video that some netizens claim misrepresented Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. The video, titled Can You Fool A Self Driving Car?, was uploaded on March 15, 2025, and features Rober attempting to trick Tesla's self-driving technology using a painted fake wall.
However, viewers are now accusing the former NASA engineer of misleading his audience.
Social media erupted shortly after the video was released. X user alleged, "Mark Rober posted a video ripping @Tesla’s FSD/AutoPilot technology. The problem? FSD was never engaged, and nothing was on when he crashed into the wall. The whole video was designed to bash Tesla and promote Luminar, a LiDAR company."
Mark Rober posted a video ripping @Tesla’s FSD/AutoPilot technology.
The problem?
FSD was never engaged, and nothing was on when he crashed into the wall.
The whole video was designed to bash Tesla and promote Luminar, a LiDAR company.
pic.twitter.com/WbEdKt5nIiAnother X user, echoed the sentiment, stating: "Let's state the obvious. This is an incredibly sad and misleading video. The title, 'Can you Fool A Self A Driving Car?' implies that the Tesla used in this video was using Full Self Driving (FSD), when in fact it was using Autopilot (AP), a completely different software stack. AP's purpose is to act as an advanced cruise control, not meant to be fully self driving. While Mark mentions this no less than 9 minutes into the video, he achieved his mission of baiting the viewer. This is not to suggest that FSD performed differently in the tests, but it most likely (99% certain) would have. It's just stating that this is a very low and shady practice of using misinformation to generate engagement. This creates confusion for would be buyers."
A user went even further, calling Rober a "complete fraud" and providing screenshots that purportedly showed the Autopilot feature wasn’t engaged at the moment of the crash: "Mark Rober is a complete fraud. Images 1 and 2 show AP was not engaged until shortly before approaching the wall. Image 3 shows AP was not engaged as it got to the wall, and was going 42 mph, over the 40 mph AP was supposedly set at in image 2."
Mark Rober is a complete fraud. Images 1 and 2 show AP was not engaged until shortly before approaching the wall
— Warren Redlich - Chasing Dreams 🇺🇸 (@WR4NYGov) March 16, 2025
Image 3 shows AP was not engaged as it got to the wall, and was going 42 mph, over the 40 mph AP was supposedly set at in image 2 pic.twitter.com/ibkUxUiRl9Regarding @MarkRober's YouTube Video.
First: Let's state the obvious. This is an incredibly sad and misleading video. The title, "Can you Fool A Self A Driving Car?" Implies that the Tesla used in this video was using Full Self Driving (FSD), when in fact it was using Autopilot… pic.twitter.com/hiX5bTVFZCIn the video, Rober sets up a scenario reminiscent of the Wile E. Coyote cartoon, painting a realistic wall that visually blends into the road ahead. At one point, he notes, "So I can definitely say, for the first time in the history of the world, Tesla's optical camera system would absolutely smash through a fake wall without even a slight tap on the brakes."
Following the backlash, Rober posted an 18-second raw footage clip on X, claiming that the Tesla's FSD disengaged "17 frames before" the vehicle hit the wall and that his feet were off the pedals. Still, critics argue that the video blurred the lines between Autopilot and FSD in a way that misled viewers about Tesla's capabilities.
Here is the raw footage of my Tesla going through the wall. Not sure why it disengages 17 frames before hitting the wall but my feet weren’t touching the brake or gas. pic.twitter.com/ddmeyqO3ww
As debates continue across social media, Rober has yet to issue a full response to the allegations.