Tesla’s autopilot lets cars change lanes by themselves

The much anticipated 7.0 software for the Tesla Model S, which enables the car’s self-driving functionality, begins rolling out today to USA owners with Europe and Asia receiving the update in the next few weeks pending regulatory approval.

Called “Tesla Autopilot”, this software update gives the company’s Model S electric vehicle the ability to drive autonomously on highways. “Over time, long term, you won’t have to keep your hands on the wheel-we explicitly describe this as beta”. For example, it can scan for a parking space, alert you when one is available, and parallel park on command.

Autosteer is the main piece of software that is being pushed out with the autopilot update and it utilizes a variety of sensors that include a camera with image recognition capability, front-facing radar, and 360-degree ultrasonic sonar to let the auto detect lane lines and other vehicles. Its expertise in software has made it a leader in self-driving features, which more traditional carmakers have been slower to develop. Tesla CEO Elon Musk says a fully autonomous vehicle is “less than three years” away.

How does this insane self-driving thing work? The system will additionally allow Tesla vehicles to find parking and even go further by parking themselves. (That’s an ambitious timeline, and it’s worth noting that both Tesla and SpaceX have historically missed most of their deadlines, sometimes by several years). Essentially, for the 20 minutes I was behind the wheel of the Autopilot-fitted Model S P90D, I felt I was driving in a not-too-distant all-autonomous future.

Still, it doesn’t make Tesla’s accomplishment any less remarkable – especially since it’s delivered this feature in a simple software upgrade.

So, this update doesn’t mean that you can ride in the backseat of your own Tesla. New information displayed comprises a virtual reality representation of the road when lane departure, blind spot detection, speed assist, collision warning, adaptive cruise, and autosteer functions are operating. The vehicle is then able to guide itself in, regulating vehicle speed and steering inputs.