Electric vehicle giant Tesla Inc has finally rolled out version 13 of its full self-driving (FSD) driver assistance software to customers in North America, after a significant delay.
Key Features and Upgrades
The new version includes several upgrades to the previous version, including:
- Autonomous parking in a garage in the future
- A significant increase in miles driven autonomously before human intervention is required
According to Tesla executive Ashok Elluswamy, the company is working on parking options, including garages. This upgrade is expected to provide users with a seamless parking experience.
Elon Musk’s Vision for Full Autonomy
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously stated that version 13 of the technology will enable drivers to drive five to 10 times more miles autonomously than the previous version before they will have to intervene. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to achieving full vehicle autonomy.
Timeline Delays
The EV company had initially stated that it would launch version 13 of FSD in October. However, Tesla is known for delaying its timelines.
The Road to Full Autonomy
Despite the name, Tesla’s FSD is yet to enable fully autonomous driving. However, Musk remains optimistic. He has previously stated that Tesla will solve autonomy even if he got “kidnapped by aliens.”
Future Plans: Ride-Hail Service
Musk has announced that the company expects to start a ride-hail service in Texas and California starting next year, subject to regulatory approval. The service will feature self-driving Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
Regulatory Approvals
While the vehicles might not operate as driverless robotaxis initially, some states require a driver to be present until the company achieves certain milestones in terms of miles and hours driven.
Confidence in Driverless Rides
Musk has expressed confidence that the company will operate driverless paid rides sometime next year.
Conclusion
Tesla’s unveiling of FSD V13 marks a significant step towards achieving full vehicle autonomy. While there is still a long way to go, the company’s commitment to innovation and technological advancements is evident. As the EV industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Tesla’s FSD technology shapes the future of transportation.