As part of that shift, the radar will use more advanced signal processing to create a better picture of the surrounding world. According to the investigation, the Tesla Model S was traveling along a highway in Autopilot mode, but the system did not see a tractor trailer that was driving across. There is no need of any kind of hardware to get this update. Currently, U.S. road safety regulators are investigating the software, which now has 200-plus additions, notes the BBC.
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In addition, the update to the Autopilot technology will also give Tesla cars the ability to ensure that drivers are paying attention on the road when the cars are driven in self-driving mode. Tesla says the changes it announced Sunday might have prevented the accident. A couple of months ago, a consumer rights group in the US accused the EV maker of aggressively rolling out self-driving technology. Driver inattention is believed to have been a factor in the Florida Autopilot fatality.
Tesla has released a remote update that should cut Autopilot accidents “in half”, says Elon Musk.
The downside of radar is that it can inaccurately identify objects and obstacles, resulting in false alarms and potential unnecessary braking events.
“Most hard is handling approaching a bridge where the road dips underneath, as this often looks like a collision course”. To combat this, Tesla cars are going to be used to “learn” about the road.
Tesla also explained that radar can see past the auto ahead, giving vehicle more time to break if need be.
Overall, the new measures should result in the vehicle hitting the brakes appropriately “even if a UFO were to land on the freeway in zero visibility conditions”, Tesla said. The radar will detect anything large, metallic or dense and force the vehicle to brake, regardless of whether the auto is in Autopilot mode or not.
The new system, available for users to download within the next two weeks, will deactivate the Autopilot when drivers ignore audible warnings three times in an hour for having their hands off the wheel.
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Radar was originally added to Tesla vehicles in 2014 to supplement the camera with extra data.
