Tesla’s latest autonomous driving update comes with ominous warning

Tesla began rolling out a long-delayed update to its “autonomous driving” software over the weekend – but the company has warned drivers not to fall asleep while driving just yet.

The new update – a new beta of Tesla’s autonomous driving software that costs $ 10,000 – allows cars to use its features on local streets – a serious upgrade from the current ‘autopilot’ mode, which is only available on highways.

Despite continuing security controversies, Tesla CEO Elon Musk had promised to extend the feature to local streets since at least 2018.

The latest update, officially called “Full Self-Driving Beta Version 9”, includes a warning that drivers should stay awake and alert while driving because the car “can do the wrong thing at the worst time”, according to shared images by Tesla Drivers Online.

Musk himself also urged drivers to be careful, warning: “There will be unknown issues, so please be paranoid.”

The update also includes improvements to the in-car driving display and the camera that measures “driver’s attention”.

Tesla’s on-board cameras will monitor whether drivers are keeping their eyes on the road and send them “audible alerts” to pay attention when the autonomous driving mode is activated, according to the patch notes. Images from the on-board camera will not leave the vehicle unless users specifically enable data sharing, the notes say.

Tesla’s use of the words “autonomous driving” to describe a feature that requires drivers to be vigilant can be misleading, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. In May, the agency said it was currently reviewing whether the company was in violation of state advertising regulations, but did not immediately respond to a request on Monday.

The update is currently only available to members of Tesla’s “early access program,” which includes 2,000 Tesla drivers – most of whom are company employees, according to the information site. Electrek electric vehicles.

In June, federal safety regulators revealed they had opened 30 investigations into Tesla crashes that have killed 10 people since 2016 in which “autopilot” mode was suspected to have been used.