Elon Musk says that Tesla was removed from the Beta drivers by the complete self-driver who, according to them, did not pay enough attention.
The carmaker has also expanded the beta to now about 2,000 Tesla owners.
Last week, Musk announced that Tesla is doubling the size of its Full Self-Driving beta program.
Back in October 2020, Tesla began sending a full self-driving beta release to owners in the “Early Access” program, a group of Tesla owners testing early versions of Tesla’s new features before a wider version to the fleet.
The software update is seen as an important step towards Tesla, which has kept the long-term promise to “fully self-drive” its vehicles through software updates on the Internet.
Although the update does not result in a real self-driving vehicle, as the responsibility still lies with the driver, who still needs Tesla to stay alert and be ready to take control at all times, it closes the gap with Tesla’s Autopilot Highway Less. functions and enables Tesla’s driver assistance system to control the vehicle in city streets and through intersections.
Tesla owners using the FSD beta can give the car a destination and the vehicle will try to drive them there autonomously while the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over.
The company reported about 1,000 people, some Tesla employees and others outside the company, in the beta program.
Now, Musk confirmed today that the program has been expanded to about 2,000 owners, and he also said that some who were previously in the program have revoked their access:
“FSD Beta has now been expanded to ~ 2000 owners and we have also moved into beta where drivers have not paid sufficient attention to the road. No accidents to date. ”
The CEO confirmed that Tesla is using its driver camera to monitor the driver’s attention in the beta program.
Musk also announced that Tesla is getting closer to its goal that its self-management system should be based purely on computer vision:
‘The next major release is in April. Go with pure vision – not even with radar. This is the way to achieve real AI. ”
Instead of going with a regular broader version of the system, Tesla is giving more people access to the beta program through a new “download beta” button in the user interface for people who use the Full Self-Driving bought package.
The button is expected to be added later this month.
Electrek’s Take
I’m on board trying to force the driver’s attention, but I think you’re in a difficult situation when you remove features that owners have paid for.
I understand that this is the beta version, but Tesla has its own definition of “beta”. The carmaker says he uses the word to try to avoid complacency of drivers.
The problem is that Tesla has had Autopilot features in beta for years.
Therefore, it raises the question: when are they going to give the owners back their functions? When does FSD come out of “beta”?
My understanding is that it will not come out of beta until it becomes truly self-governing and Tesla takes responsibility.
Obviously Tesla is at the forefront here and figuring it out as it goes, but I think they are opening themselves up here for some trouble.
To be honest, it’s not like I have a solution. I believe this approach is probably better because you remove some risks, but it’s difficult.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
FTC: We use revenue to earn automatically affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.