No - Tesla obvs.
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/06/t...tches-waymo-skills-despite-far-less-hardware/
Waymo are geofenced to San Francisco. Tesla has data from all over the world and more of it.
The phrase "most technologically advanced" is very open to interpretation. Waymo have achieved Level 4 autonomy but, as you say, in a restricted geography. Mercedes has been certified for Level 3 in the US, but only on certain road types (highways only I think but not 100%). Tesla is only Level 2, but achieves that level in more circumstances than the others can maintain a higher autonomy level.
All that said, Tesla autonomy is highly impressive, even if the mantle of "the most advanced" might be debated.
The problem I have with Tesla's direction is that chasing autonomy might be a very elusive goal, and Musk has committed the company future (or at least share price) to the capability of autonomy. Secondly, I don't think many "mainstream" buyers select cars primarily on autonomy and Tesla has been winning on the more prosaic race around charging infrastructure which I would argue is much more important for sales and the average buyer. Tesla seem to be doing some strange things with their charging strategy (including sacking the entire development teams associated with it). Then there is range and battery technology - Tesla seemed to be leading this in previous years, but look at the Chinese car manufacturers (or some European ones) and they are coming out with impressive battery technology and range. Lastly, the Cybertruck is - in my opinion - a piece of narcissistic nonsense driven by Musk ego rather than market realities. It will never be sold in Europe as is, has a myriad of problems associated with it, and doesn't push EVs forward in the same way that the first Roadstar, the Model S or the Model 3 did. It feels like a product from a company that has lost sight of its objectives, one of which absolutely should have been a low cost entry EV - otherwise Tesla will start getting their lunch eaten by the Chinese manufacturers even with 100% tariffs.
Where does Polestar rank compared to Tesla in terms of technology? I'm not about to be buying a car any time soon but I like their adverts!
As far as I am aware, Polestar has "Advanced Driving assistance". This means it has active cruise control (via radar) and in lane management. Tesla (and some others such as BMW and Mercedes) have other features such as autonomous lane changing, traffic light recognition and so on.
Polestar is a mid size family saloon, pitched firmly against the likes of Tesla model 3. I have been driven in one - they are good. More traditional car interior than a Tesla 3 and excellent build quality. So it is really personal preference.
It's not a limitation it's a design choice. Watch some of the Tesla FSD videos. It's really very good.
FSD is an exceptional level 2 autonomous system. If Tesla were developing this as advanced driver aids this would be fine. It isn't the technology but rather the marketing hype that is wrong - it isn't FSD, and should not have been sold as such.
The camera systems are definitely a choice, and I can see the argument to be made to remove expensive LIDAR / RADAR. Removal of ultrasonic sensors makes no sense to me at all. They are cheap, reliable and thoroughly tested in millions of cars. For low speed situational awareness they are very, very good.
I still maintain that level 5 autonomy is a way off. Car makers would be best making sure that the driving aids they put on their cars are both technically excellent and also manage the psycological issues around autonomy with the driver.
