FYI: Tesla’s next Full Self-Driving (FSD) update will allow drivers to wear sunglasses without system interference.
Tesla’s FSD v12.5 to Allow Sunglasses, Merging Software Stacks
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology has been abuzz with updates and speculations lately. CEO Elon Musk recently shared that the upcoming version, v12.5, will address one notable issue: drivers will no longer face restrictions for wearing sunglasses while using the system.
Sunglasses-Friendly Driving
Tesla’s FSD system has a driver monitoring feature designed to ensure attentiveness. Previously, this system would not permit drivers to wear sunglasses without triggering repeated alerts. Over the weekend, in response to a user’s complaint on X (formerly Twitter), Musk assured that this inconvenience would be rectified in the v12.5 update. The assurance was well-received by many users eagerly awaiting this improvement.
Quote from Elon Musk
"Should be fixed in 12.5" — Elon Musk (@elonmusk), July 21, 2024
Awaiting Deployment for v12.5
While the exact deployment date for FSD Supervised v12.5 remains uncertain, it has garnered notable anticipation, especially amongst Cybertruck enthusiasts. Initially, Musk announced a late June release, but despite missing this deadline, he emphasized the readiness of the update to integrate with the Cybertruck upon launch.
Noteworthy Improvements in v12.5
Aside from the sunglasses issue, FSD Supervised v12.5 is highly anticipated for merging the city and highway software stacks — a significant upgrade mirrored from previous implementations in v11. However, integrating these capabilities has proven complex, leading to temporary rollbacks in earlier versions.
Recent Rollouts
Earlier this month, Tesla began rolling out version 12.4.3 to selected customers after previously halting v12.4.2 due to low levels of interventions, a metric crucial for evaluating the AI’s performance. According to Musk, the "interventions" — instances needing human takeover — were so minimal that thorough testing became increasingly challenging. He elucidated on these testing intricacies during Tesla’s Annual Shareholder Meeting.
"The amount of testing time it takes to figure out if the new AI is better than the existing AI as measured by miles between interventions is the limiting factor on progress," Musk stated. The more infrequent the interventions become, the harder it is to determine which AI model outperforms the other.
Tesla’s Testing Strategies
Tesla is employing a combination of simulations and shadow mode to test new AI models. Shadow mode allows the system to run in parallel with the human driver to compare what actions the AI would have taken versus the actual driver’s actions. This strategy leverages Tesla’s vast fleet to gather data across millions of miles, thus providing a robust basis for measuring the AI’s accuracy and improvement areas.
Conclusion
As Tesla continues its rapid innovation cycles, the forthcoming v12.5 update to FSD is set to bring significant enhancements. Beyond enabling drivers to comfortably wear sunglasses, this version represents a leap towards more integrated and efficient autonomous capabilities. With the Cybertruck’s incoming compatibility and refined AI testing, Tesla drivers can look forward to a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience on the horizon.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
