Tesla has started rolling out version 7.1 of its newest Model S firmware, which improves the Autosteer feature and allows owners of the electric vehicle (EV) to park or summon the e-car remotely. The software update follows big news about EV models at the recent Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2016, which included Faraday Future's first concept car, and the new Chevrolet Bolt.
Posts on Tesla Motors Club forums show upgrades to Tesla's cruise control systems. That includes improvements to the Autosteer feature that prevents the car going over the speed limit by over 5 miles per hour (8 km/hr) in residential areas, and upgraded cruise control systems, according to ArsTechnica.
The goal of the speed cap on Autosteer is to make the feature safer. It will prevent the vehicle from speeding around when the driver's hands are off the steering wheel.
Meanwhile, the new firmware version's beta feature is named Summon. It allows the Model S to automatically reverse into or out from a parking space.
Tesla has been promoting the Summon feature since it launched semi-autonomous driving updates for its Model S, according to Engadget. It would end the need to walk into the garage or across a big parking lot.
Besides pulling into or out of a garage, Summon also opens and closes a HomeLink garage door. However, it only works within 39 feet (12 meters) of the door.
ArsTechnica also points out that Summon can now only be legally used on private property. Only automakers that have received permits to test self-driving vehicles can use the feature on public roads.
Another big issue is that Summon does not seem to be able to parallel park. Several car models have introduced a self-parallel parking feature that requires a human to be behind the wheel and operating the brake.
In other Tesla news, the EV company has received some criticism for its Model X crossover SUV, which has many features that would normally be limited to concept cars. The vehicle has been delayed for two years, has a $80,000 base price, and many ornate features including falcon wing doors and a huge curved windshield.