The automaker might be introducing the most advanced software created to bring semi-autonomous features to date, but chief executive and billionaire co-founder Elon Musk has been keen to caution the drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel.
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Side Collision Warning uses the same sensors to detect objects close to the side of the vehicle, and if need be, the auto will warn the driver if another object is getting too close.
Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is now among the vehicle manufacturers that have their own automated self-driving systems.
While not fully self-driving, the software enables the vehicle to “automatically steer down the highway, change lanes, and adjust speed in response to traffic”.
Musk estimated that within three years, cars would be able to drive “from your driveway to work without you touching anything”, but regulatory approval could take years. Toyota and Volvo recently said they will commercialize self-driving technology for highway transportation in 2020. This, the most significant visual refresh for the Model S so far, modifies the Instrument Panel to make it more focused on the driver, and adds more apps. As the system is improved and new capabilities developed, Tesla will beam these over to its cars using over-the-air software updates.
The roll out of update 7.0 in North America will be conducted in stages and may take a couple of months before reaching all Model S and Model X owners.
Only owners who paid the $2,500 charge for the full autopilot system would be able to activate all of the autopilot features, but the side-impact warning was a safety feature and would be available to everyone.
As of Thursday morning, thousands of Tesla electric cars already sitting in garages and driveways were to abruptly gain the ability to drive themselves.
Karl Brauer, a senior analyst with Kelley Blue Book, said Tesla’s system appears to up the ante for the industry.
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It added: “Changing lanes when Autosteer is engaged is simple: engage the turn signal and Model S will move itself to the adjacent lane when it’s safe to do so”. Long term it will be way better than a person. Nor will automatic valet functions work on the auto.
