Tesla rolls out latest semi-autonomous driving software in the US | CPT PPP Coverage

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the company has begun to introduce the latest version of its ‘Full Self-Driving’ (FSD) semi-autonomous software in the US, with its ‘beta’ title – which refers to a product being tested by consumers – to be dropped.

Mr Musk confirmed Tesla employees are the first to experience the new system.

Known as version 12 (or v12), the new FSD could signify a major technological step forward in the industry – allowing the car’s computers to make its own judgements based on what its cameras see, rather than relying on “hard-coded programming”, website Not a Tesla App reports.

More than 300,000 lines of code – which would normally tell the car how to drive – have been removed from the FSD software.

According to reports, the latest version of the semi-autonomous driving technology instead uses ‘neural networks’, which are designed to recognise environments and make decisions in the same way a human would.

The new-generation Tesla Model 3 – known as the ‘Highland’ – will be the first car from the brand to be sold in Australia which relies purely on cameras.

Australian Tesla owners can order Tesla FSD for $10,100 – however, it is understood the technology does not currently comply with Australian road rules and is unable to be used until it meets the legal requirements.

In April 2023, Mr Musk was quoted as saying the company’s autonomous driving software will be made available before the end of the year – for the fourth year in a row.