Tesla is selling autonomous-but-don't-quote-us but that doesn't qualify them as a strong contender. The autobahn system isn't large enough to be difficult to map out, and highway driving is the easy case.

You're right. But Audi (with BMW and Daimler) acquired the only provider that can compete against Google Maps in completeness and accuracy. Traditional car makers work in their own ways, which might look outdated from the typical point of view on HN (and justly so). It's pretty hard to estimate how far they've reached.

AFAIK Audi's driver is legally allowed to keep hands off the wheel in specific circumstances. Meanwhile Tesla's driver is theoretically driving even when "autopilot" is engaged.

Highway driving is indeed the easy case. But even if autonomous vehicles only ever worked on the highway, that would still be a world changing technology.

Does the Audi system work safely in severe weather?