Tesla dramatically expands its self-driving mode

The video from Tesla shows the vehicle navigating a variety of situations. Photo: Tesla

Electric car maker Tesla has updated its full self-driving capability (FSD) to Beta V8 with a “groundbreaking” update expected later this year.

Beta testing has become popular at Tesla, so much so that Elon Musk has said that within 10 days owners across the world (except in regions where FSD needs to get regular approval) will be able to download the beta test.

The self-driving “autopilot” update is said to be “groundbreaking” and many videos have popped up online from early adopter drivers using it, with success.

According to Tesla: “Eight surround cameras provide 360 degrees of visibility around the car at up to 250 metres of range. Twelve updated ultrasonic sensors complement this vision, allowing for the detection of both hard and soft objects at nearly twice the distance of the prior system. A forward-facing radar with enhanced processing provides additional data about the world on a redundant wavelength that is able to see through heavy rain, fog, dust, and even the car ahead.”

But Musk has warned that “beta” means to proceed with care if using the product, as bugs aren’t ironed out.

There is footage of a car driving to a Tesla service depot in the US, from home, over a variety of types of roads, successfully.

Apparently, there is a version 8.3 which is said to be “groundbreaking”, then a 9.0 version that is said to be “the icing on the cake” due in quarter two this year.