Watch Tesla cars steer and park themselves with new software update

As of today, Tesla Motors Model S sedans will be able to steer and park themselves under certain conditions, but it’s not the fact that the vehicle is autonomous that’s freaking me out.

Automatic Emergency Steering and Side Collision Warning senses when nearby objects, such as cars, get a little too close to the Model S’ sides, and will alert the driver with fluid lines that radiate from the Model S image in the instrument panel. With the newest software, the Tesla Model S will search out parking spots for you when you arrive at your destination and will even do the hard work of parallel parking for you.

CEO Elon Musk also urged drivers to exercise caution with the new software.

“But we want people to be quite careful with the autopilot”, says Musk, who insists that drivers should still keep their “hands on the wheel” while using the car’s self-driving modes-just in case. Drivers – not Tesla – would be held liable in a crash, Musk said. Autosteer paired with ALC allows the driver to simply engage the turn signal and the vehicle will shift into the next lane on its own.

The new software, which can be downloaded into the vehicle overnight, uses the Model S’s existing computers and suite of sensors. “Over time, long term, you won’t have to keep your hands on the wheel-we explicitly describe this as beta”. Its expertise in software has made it a leader in self-driving features, which more traditional carmakers have been slower to develop. Owners in Europe and Asia would get the software update in about a week.

The Autopilot system is one of the most noteworthy features coming to the Model S newer-models and the Model X SUV via the 7.0 software update. Drivers can retake control of the vehicle simply by turning the steering wheel slightly.

The approach is different from companies like Google, which are aiming for a fully autonomous driving experience, compared to Tesla, which, at least for now, is offering a more “assisted driving” autonomous driving experience. The company said it will be several months before all Autopilot features are completed and uploaded to the cars. Once there, Tesla will compile it to create a more detailed map of the American highways and byways.