Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled latest version of its Autopilot software. The new version of Autopilot comes with various features such as enhanced utilization of the vehicle radar system in Model S and Model X. Musk claims that the update might have averted a fatal crash that occurred this year.
The update would be released over-the-air over the course of next week. The update is expected to increase the safety of autonomous vehicles. It comes with features such as imposing new limits on hands-off driving. The new update would also give Autopilot the ability to turn off the system should a driver fail to adhere to warnings about taking back control.
Autopilot 8.0 would also make better use of the vehicle radar system to enable it to recognize obstacles in a more efficient manner. According to ZDNet, the new update would offer "dramatic improvement" over the current controls which utilize cameras and software.
Referring to the May 7 Tesla crash, which resulted in the death of a driver, Musk said that it was "very likely" that the latest update could have prevented the death. "It's about improving the probability of safety. There won't ever be zero fatalities, there won't ever be zero injuries," the Telsa CEO stated
According to Wired, the new update would make the radar ping outwards ten items a second. Collected reflections will be assembled into 3D images. Musk elaborated that the company is currently "adding 1.5 million miles per day on Autopilot." This helps in gathering data even when the system is not on.