From October 19, 2016, all new Tesla vehicles will be equipped with all the hardware required for full self-driving functionality.
Although Tesla’s Autopilot feature has been involved in a few crashes, and at least one death, this year, Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, is not backing down for his support of the software or for autonomous driving.
His company is now doubling down, equipping all Tesla Model S and Model X cars, as well as the Model 3 due next year, with all the hardware required for full self-driving capability.
The hardware package includes:
- Eight cameras, giving the cars 360 degree visibility up to 250m (820ft) away.
- 12 ultrasonic sensors, allowing for detection of objects up to twice as far away as previously.
- A rear facing radar.
- New onboard computer that’s 40 times more powerful than the old one, and can run Tesla’s neural net software
As the hardware is new, these new cars will temporarily lack the following features that are available on Tesla Model S and Model X cars already on the road:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Collision warning
- Lane keeping assistance
- Active cruise control
Once tested and verified these features will be enabled for new cars via an over the air software update.
The full self-driving software isn’t available or ready just yet, and will only be available for purchase at a later date.
