The updated system will temporarily prevent drivers from using the system if they do not respond to three audible warnings to take back control of the vehicle.
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“I do want to emphasize this does not mean ideal safety”.
In a blog post, Musk said the radar, initially a “supplementary sensor” can now be used as a “primary control centre”. And with this update it should improve its safety.
The Tesla Software Update 8.0 is planned for release in the next few weeks, with Tesla promising over 200 enhancements, including improved auto lane change and Autosteer to avoid collision.
Following that crash, Tesla said parts of the car’s automated driving system were not complete and the vehicle wasn’t meant to be driven hands-free.
In May 2016 a Model S in Autopilot hit a tractor trailer after the camera sensor didn’t see the white truck against the bright sky.
“Initially, the vehicle fleet will take no action except to note the position of road signs, bridges and other stationary objects, mapping the world according to radar”. The maximum period of not keeping hands on the wheel is a minute at the speed mentioned above when the road ahead is clear. If the vehicle determines that the driver doesn’t have their hands on the wheel and throws its audible warning three times in an hour, it will lock the driver out of the feature.
“It’s not about going from bad to good”, Musk said on the call. It urged Tesla to rename the technology as it felt “autopilot” was “misleading and dangerous”. Tesla cars will map radar information and compare it to when the driver brakes. The most important modification they made is in its Autopilot system.
Asserting that the improvements unfold by the updated autopilot technology will make Tesla’s cars “by far” the safest on the road, Musk also added alongside that the updated technology “does not mean ideal safety”.
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The update could affect the federal investigations surrounding Autopilot. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the incident. Now, Autopilot can block drivers’ access to it if the driver fails to gain control of the vehicle following audible warnings to do so – as in turning itself off and only accessible again when parked.
