Tesla Pushes ‘Autopilot’ Update: Model S Can Now Drive Itself

Even more importantly, the system is to continually improve as it ‘learns over time.’ Autopilot data from each Model S will be uploaded into a central network, which will be utilised to adjust the software’s instructions and thus improve the decision making.

In addition to these three features, Tesla has also added a beta feature called Autosteer that “keeps the auto in the current lane and engages Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to maintain the car’s speed”.

The age of driverless cars might take another step toward fruition as early as Thursday, when Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) plans to release new operating software for its line of luxury electric vehicles that it says includes autopilot features. For availing the benefit of the Autopilot upgrade, owners of eligible Tesla vehicles will have to pay almost $3000. Tesla constantly updates its software and makes the updates available for its users over the air.

“I think this is going to be quite a profound experience for people when they do it”, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday.

Tesla is still awaiting regulatory approval in Europe and Asia, though, and the software update is at least “a week out”. Autosteer assists the driver on the road, but it still requires a driver to keep his or her hands on the steering wheel.

Karl Brauer, a senior analyst with Kelley Blue Book, said Tesla’s system appeared to up the ante for the industry. Autopark detects possible parking spots, provided you go below 15mph; if a spot of an appropriate size is found, the Autopark get the vehicle into the spot. Autopilot will eventually enable self-driving capability on the highway.

It can take over for a driver on the highway, steering through curves on its own, monitoring surrounding cars and adjusting speed as needed.

It automatically turns indicator signals on and off while warning the driver if the auto is approaching another parked vehicle too quickly.

Other vehicle manufacturers such as BMW and Volvo are also developing, and implementing, autonomous features to their cars. True self-driving cars, Tesla said, are still years away.