Elon Musk says Tesla removed drivers from the Full Self-Driving Beta that they determined were not paying enough attention.
The automaker has also expanded the beta to a total of about 2,000 Tesla owners now.
Last week, Musk announced that Tesla is doubling the size of its Full Self-Driving beta program.
In October 2020, Tesla began pushing a Beta Full Self-Driving version for owners of the “Early Access” program, a group of Tesla owners who test early versions of Tesla’s new features before a broader release for the fleet.
The software update was seen as an important step for Tesla to fulfill its promise to make its vehicles “fully autonomous” through software updates over the air.
Although the update does not result in a truly autonomous vehicle, since the responsibility is still with the driver, which Tesla still needs to stay tuned and ready to take control at all times, it closes the gap with the driver’s direction Tesla’s automatic on-road features and allow Tesla’s driver assistance system to control the vehicle on city streets and through intersections.
Tesla owners using the FSD beta are able to give the car a destination and the vehicle will try to drive them there autonomously, with the driver keeping his hands on the wheel and ready to take control.
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 on the program have seen their access revoked:
“FSD Beta has now been expanded to ~ 2,000 owners and we have also revoked the beta where drivers were not paying enough attention to the road. No accidents so far. “
The CEO confirmed that Tesla used its driver-oriented camera to monitor the driver’s attention in the beta program.
Musk also announced that Tesla is approaching its goal that its autonomous steering system is purely based on computer vision:
“The next significant launch will be in April. Going with pure vision – not even using radar. This is the path to real-world AI. “
Instead of going with a broader version of the system, Tesla will give more people access to the beta program via a new “download beta” button on the vehicle’s user interface for people who have purchased the Full Self-Driving package .
The button is expected to be added later this month.
Electrek’s Take
I’m trying to get the driver’s attention, but I think you’re getting into a tricky situation by removing a feature that the owners paid for.
I understand that this is the beta version, but Tesla has its own definition of “beta”. The automaker says it uses the word to try to avoid complacency by drivers.
The problem is that Tesla has had Autopilot features in “beta” for years.
Therefore, the question arises: when will they return the characteristics to these owners? When does the FSD leave the “beta”?
My understanding is that it will not leave the beta until it becomes fully autonomous and Tesla takes responsibility.
Obviously, Tesla is at the forefront here and finding this out as he goes along, but I think they are opening up to some problems here.
To be fair, it’s not like I have a solution. I believe that this approach is probably better, as you remove some risks, but it is complicated.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
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