New Tesla Autopilot System Rolls Out, But Don't Get Too Excited Just Yet
Tesla’s new Autopilot software is rolling out, but some owners might not be able to take advantage of it right away.
Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles built since October are equipped with new hardware that has the potential to be capable of driving fully autonomously one day, but they didn’t have the software to go with it. That’s all changing, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced the software is rolling out today, but with a few caveats. For starters, some owners will have to visit a service center to have the camera pitch angle adjusted before taking advantage of Autopilot. The vehicles with the new hardware will also have a speed-limited version of Autosteer, which will work at speeds below 45 mph.
Autosteer is meant for use on highways with clear lane markings and helps a car maintain position in traffic. It works alongside the traffic-aware cruise control system (TACC) that is also being added with the over-the-air update. TACC is currently limited to a maximum speed of 75 mph.
SEE ALSO: Tesla Model S, Model X Get 100D Variant with World’s Best Range
Vehicles will also get Forward Collision Warning, but will not have Automatic Emergency Braking. For the most part, Tesla vehicles equipped with the second-generation hardware and the new software rolling out today will still have some features missing compared to older Tesla vehicles, but the cars do get safety and convenience features that were previously not available to owners of newer cars. Eventually, however, the new hardware should be superior to the old, once the software catches up.
Autopilot for HW2 rolling out to all HW2 cars today. Please be cautious. Some cars will require adjustment of camera pitch angle by service.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2017
Auto steer limited to 45 mph on highways for now, i.e. heavy traffic, where it is needed most. Limit will raise as we get more data.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 22, 2017
Discuss this story on our Tesla Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation