As we reported yesterday, Tesla started pushing a new Autopilot update to the fleet this week and it apparently features some significant improvements to Tesla’s semi-autonomous driver assist system.
Now some owners are releasing videos of their first drivers with the new software and most of them are quite impressed.
As we previously reported, the update is the same that was beta-tested a month ago and features a brand new and heavier neural net to feed Tesla’s computer vision technology.
The update works on Autopilot 2.0/2.5 cars and owners who reached out to Electrek are seeing a significant improvement in lane detection, a reduction of “ping-ponging” within a lane, and a generally better experience when Autosteer is activated.
Some are also reporting a more efficient Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to slow down and stop when locked into a lead vehicle.
Several owners are also now reporting the ability to enable Autosteer a lot quicker – meaning that the system is more confident that it can handle a road when detecting the lane and environment.
In general, most drivers now seem to agree that Tesla’s Autopilot 2.0 has surpassed the Autopilot 1.0 powered by Mobileye – something that has been debated for the better part of a year now.
The system is still focused on highway driving, where Tesla recommends using it and where the Autopilot 2.0 is really impressive right now, but the system is also showing some significant improvements while driving on undivided roads.
Here’s a demonstration on local roads without lane dividers:
The owner is noting some important improvements even though the system is still not perfect, which is a good reminder to always stay vigilant and be ready to take control
Another Model S owner, John Chimento, took his vehicle to the streets of Brooklyn after receiving the update last night and posted a video with more highway driving:
Needless to say, he was really impressed. He wrote:
“Updated my Tesla to 2018.10.4 and couldn’t wait to go test it out. It was worth staying up until 4am! March 2017 Model S 90D. MAJOR UNDER THE HOOD AUTOPILOT UPDATE. Hill Crests are a piece of cake, lane changes are smooth as can be. No ping-ponging whatsoever. Completely improved lane detection. It feels so much smarter. I feel 5 times safer. Good job Tesla Autopilot Programming team. You finally did it!”
And to top it off, here’s a quick video of the new update handling a very twisty road in Santa Cruz:
https://youtu.be/txWzoTmuMi8
If you have other good video demonstrations of the latest Autopilot update, please send them my way.
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