All Tesla Vehicles Being Produced Now Have Full Self-Driving Hardware (jalopnik.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Jalopnik: All current Tesla models that will be produced in its Fremont, California factory will come with self-driving hardware built-in capable of Level 5 autonomy, including the upcoming Tesla Model 3, the company announced tonight. According to the announcement, Tesla will manufacture all of its cars with the hardware necessary for Level 5 self-driving systems going forward, including the Model S, Model X and new Model 3. At the introduction of the Model 3, it wasn't clear whether or not every Model 3 package would come standard with the hardware and software to handle Autopilot and any other self-driving features. That's been cleared up now, but there's a kicker. Just like on current Model S and Model X models, you can purchase the cars with the self-driving hardware included. But, in order to activate the software and actually use the Autopilot or upcoming advanced self-driving safety features, you will have to option it when you order the car, or pay more for it later. Elon Musk stated that the new hardware in all of Tesla's cars going forward are Tesla's own vision software, with a Tesla-developed neural net. The new hardware and software capabilities still need to undergo all of the testing required by Tesla's own standards, as well as government approval before unleashing Level 5 autonomous cars onto the streets.

Comments

Can't be level 5

[Chmarr]

Level 5 means not having any controls that a human can use. So, unless their "future upgrade" includes ripping out the steering wheel and pedals, etc, then the car is only "level 4 ready".

Re:self-driving or assisted driving ?

[ShanghaiBill]

Maybe you can explain how these work in snow when they still need to see clear lane markings.

I have a Tesla. They work fine in the snow. In fact, Tesla specifically recommends engaging Autopilot on snowy roads because that is safer than driving yourself. Tesla Autopilot has driven several million miles on snowy and icy roads.

It is funny how people trying to point out weaknesses of SDCs, often focus on areas there they are particularly strong. On snowy roads, a human has only their eyes, so if they cannot see the lane markings, they have difficulty navigating. Tesla has cameras for vision, but also has GPS and radar, and can access a database of "landmarks" such as mileage markers, traffic signs, etc. that they can use as waypoints.