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The Full Self-Driving system by tesla is making improvements and updates. It now offers a higher frame rate and a smoother ride, and we have a Test drive report. What’s next? Will NHTSA influence the development of this new technology? And what about the cost? Read on to find out. Posted on July 14, 2016, by tesla fsd
Updates to tesla’s Full Self-Driving system
Updates to Tesla’s Full Self-driving system have been pushed out to Beta testers. Although the software isn’t yet Level 5 autonomous driving, it does allow for automatic turns on city streets. Tesla’s current Full Self-Driving Beta is a step up from the previous version, but drivers should remain vigilant. The new software builds on more than 250,000 training video clips.
The first recalled Tesla cars involved the ‘rolling stop’ feature, a controversial upgrade that caused cars to abruptly brake at highway speeds. Tesla’s software update fixed the problem remotely. It also notified regulators that it would eliminate the “rolling stop” function, which allows cars to proceed through a stop sign without fully stopping. A few drivers reported experiencing unexpected braking, and Tesla said it will make the software even more reliable.
The Washington Post analyzed videos posted by Tesla owners to identify a basic weakness in the company’s technology. 
Its panel of experts included academics, industry executives, technical staff with experience in autonomous vehicle safety analysis, and even self-driving vehicle developers. These experts were not in competition with Tesla and agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. The Washington Post’s video coverage revealed the problems in the system’s algorithms.
Test drive
The full-autonomous mode on a Tesla car is a great way to learn more about the system, but it’s important to note some key differences between the two. While Autopilot is the company’s oldest self-driving system, it can only park itself and is only effective on highways. Tesla’s full-autonomous mode, on the other hand, expands the range of Autopilot. However, it still requires the driver to intervene to keep the vehicle from crashing into anything. The industry is still deciding whether this technology is safe enough to make a car crash, and regulators have yet to approve its use.
The Full Self-Driving program has prompted some skepticism from Tesla owners. While some have praised the technology, others have criticized the safety scoring system and argued that top scores are not practical. Some have also wondered whether it is realistic to expect a full-autonomous Tesla to be so expensive. As of now, though, there is no guarantee that the system will be fully safe for all drivers.
Improvements to system frame rate
Recent improvements to the Tesla FSD have increased nearly one frame per second in system frame rate. The FSD is still considered Level 2 driver assistance, so it’s imperative that the driver remain aware and in control at all times. Tesla’s release notes state that the system will get an even higher boost in frame rate once the company fully implements its superhuman AI. The Tesla FSD has many other changes too.
The FSD computer is a 14-nanometer chip that’s 260 millimeters squared. It contains six billion transistors and 250 million logic gates. While Tesla has said that it’s plenty for normal use, they are working to make it more powerful and efficient. Tesla will likely have a newer processor, a Cortex A75, to improve the system frame rate. It will also have more processing power, which will help the GPU and other components in the Tesla.
NHTSA’s influence on traffic safety
The latest report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Tesla FSD traffic safety program raises questions about the automaker’s oversight and influence on the company’s technology. Although the report will not necessarily determine that the FSD was responsible for the October crash, it could mean that the automaker will not be able to get away with a large fine. The investigation comes after several recent run-ins between Tesla and regulators. In August, the NHTSA launched a probe into Tesla’s Autopilot feature, after a spate of emergency vehicle crashes. In October, the agency also expressed concerns about Tesla using its beta software on public roads. The automaker isn’t thrilled about being able to test its technology on public roads, and NHTSA isn’t thrilled with this
Despite the recent reports of crashes caused by Tesla’s Autopilot software, the NHTSA has yet to issue an official decision about a possible recall. It has a preliminary evaluation open but is now extending it to engineering analysis and a formal investigation that could lead to a recall. The NHTSA’s investigation is focused on Tesla’s driver-assistance software and how it alerts drivers to potential incidents. It applies to Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles, and potentially even the new Tesla Y.
