Photo: Tesla, @BLKMDL3, @WholeMarsBlog via X
Tesla initially promised the FSD V12.4 would reach customer vehicles by the end of May, but the first builds never made it past internal testing. On June 30, the FSD V12.4.2 rolled out to the first Tesla customers, and Elon Musk took the time to explain why this FSD build was delayed for so long.
After a good period when Tesla FSD software saw quick progress, the EV maker appeared to have hit a wall with the V12.4 builds. This variant was a major rewrite of the self-driving software, with the main purpose of significantly increasing the miles between driver interventions. Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised a ten-fold improvement in this regard, which means owners could drive for days without intervening.
More than that, the same FSD version ditched the steering wheel nag for cars fitted with a cabin camera. This makes FSD V12.4 Tesla's first "hands-free" automated driving system, although not entirely. When the camera cannot catch the driver's eyes due to them wearing eyeglasses or a hat, the system falls back to the steering wheel check instead. However, in ideal conditions, Tesla owners will be able to use FSD without touching the steering wheel.
When announcing the FSD V12.4, Elon Musk explained that this version brings so many changes that it could as well be called V13 instead. Tesla completely re-trained models to improve smoothness. Musk admitted in May that FSD still accelerates and brakes too fast for most people's taste. However, when Tesla employees started testing V12.4, it was anything but smooth. The bug-fix update V12.4.1 hasn't made FSD any better, and Musk had to admit the software needed more polish.
The hopes were high with the FSD V12.4.2, which started internal testing on Thursday. If no bugs ruin the show, the first customers were expected to get the new FSD build over the weekend. Tesla did everything possible to launch FSD V12.4.2 on customer vehicles by Sunday evening. Elon Musk explained that although this build had fewer interventions, it suffered in driving smoothness. This seems the opposite of what Musk promised with V12.4 in May.
Elon Musk added that part of the issue was "too much training on interventions and not enough on normal driving." This shows that Tesla is still trying to figure out the best testing procedure. It's also difficult to assess FSD improvements when it takes so much driving between interventions. Sometimes, thousands of miles of driving are needed before stumbling upon an edge-case scenario. It could very well be that a new build appears perfect, and then regression becomes obvious as more miles are driven.
The new FSD build rolled out with the 2024.15.10 software update, with the release notes showing only general refinements and minor tweaks to the cabin camera utilization with FSD engaged. Tesla is still working on subsequent FSD updates, with V12.5 being the most important for Cybertruck owners. Elon Musk promised that V12.5 would finally bring Autopilot and FSD capability to the Cybertruck fleet.
More than that, the same FSD version ditched the steering wheel nag for cars fitted with a cabin camera. This makes FSD V12.4 Tesla's first "hands-free" automated driving system, although not entirely. When the camera cannot catch the driver's eyes due to them wearing eyeglasses or a hat, the system falls back to the steering wheel check instead. However, in ideal conditions, Tesla owners will be able to use FSD without touching the steering wheel.
When announcing the FSD V12.4, Elon Musk explained that this version brings so many changes that it could as well be called V13 instead. Tesla completely re-trained models to improve smoothness. Musk admitted in May that FSD still accelerates and brakes too fast for most people's taste. However, when Tesla employees started testing V12.4, it was anything but smooth. The bug-fix update V12.4.1 hasn't made FSD any better, and Musk had to admit the software needed more polish.
The hopes were high with the FSD V12.4.2, which started internal testing on Thursday. If no bugs ruin the show, the first customers were expected to get the new FSD build over the weekend. Tesla did everything possible to launch FSD V12.4.2 on customer vehicles by Sunday evening. Elon Musk explained that although this build had fewer interventions, it suffered in driving smoothness. This seems the opposite of what Musk promised with V12.4 in May.
Elon Musk added that part of the issue was "too much training on interventions and not enough on normal driving." This shows that Tesla is still trying to figure out the best testing procedure. It's also difficult to assess FSD improvements when it takes so much driving between interventions. Sometimes, thousands of miles of driving are needed before stumbling upon an edge-case scenario. It could very well be that a new build appears perfect, and then regression becomes obvious as more miles are driven.
The new FSD build rolled out with the 2024.15.10 software update, with the release notes showing only general refinements and minor tweaks to the cabin camera utilization with FSD engaged. Tesla is still working on subsequent FSD updates, with V12.5 being the most important for Cybertruck owners. Elon Musk promised that V12.5 would finally bring Autopilot and FSD capability to the Cybertruck fleet.
Sorry for the delay. This release had far fewer interventions, but suffered in driving smoothness.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2024
Part of the issue was too much training on interventions and not enough on normal driving.
It’s like a doctor training too much on patients in the emergency room vs training on…
Google News