It is finally here. Tesla’s new Autopilot system, part of its software v7.0 release, is designed to create high-precision digital maps in real time and share the information with other Tesla cars, Mashable reports.
In what can be considered the only fully integrated autopilot system involving four different feedback modules (camera, radar, ultrasonics, and GPS), data is constantly being collected and grows as more Tesla owners join the fleet.
Moreover, Autopilot allows Model S to steer within a lane, change lanes with the simple tap of a turn signal, and manage speed by using active, traffic-aware cruise control. It can even scan for a parking space, alert you when one is available, and parallel park on command.
Back to the mapping feature: Unlike Google Street View, whose images can be a few years old, Autopilot provides a real-time overview of the road network including lane markings, detours, construction, etc. These precious details are then shared through the cloud with other Tesla cars, so users know exactly what they’re driving into or can decide to take a different route. It’s a crucial step leading up to a fully autonomous Tesla.
A colleague at Jalopnik tested the Autopilot system, and it seems to have blown his mind. Check out the video: