. 24/7 Space News .
CAR TECH
Tesla cars can now almost drive themselves
By Sophie ESTIENNE
San Francisco (AFP) Oct 15, 2015


High-end electric vehicle maker Tesla is taking a major step toward self-driving cars by installing new autopilot software Thursday in North America to automatically change lanes, manage speed and even hit the brakes.

Self-driving capabilities -- previously limited to cars tested by technology titans such as Google -- hit the streets "overnight" with the latest Tesla Version 7.0 software, the company said Wednesday.

The feature, unveiled Wednesday, is being added to thousands of Tesla's Model S cars already on the road. By June 30, Tesla had already sold nearly 80,000 of the four-door sedans.

The so-called Version 7.0 software is due to hit the European and Asian markets next week after obtaining the required authorization.

"We're being especially cautious at this early stage so we are advising drivers to keep their hands on the wheel just in case," Tesla founder and chief executive Elon Musk told reporters.

"In the long term, people will not need hands on the wheel, and eventually there won't be (steering) wheels or pedals."

Autopilot allows Model S to steer within a lane, change lanes by tapping a turn signal and manage speed using "traffic-aware" cruise control.

The car can also scan for available parking spaces, alert drivers when one is spotted and then parallel park on command.

A year ago, the California-based company began equipping Model S cars with radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and other hardware to begin incrementally introducing self-driving capabilities.

But the new software has its limits. It still can't recognize the color of traffic lights, though it can alert drivers to parking spots.

On its website, Tesla acknowledged that "truly driverless cars are still a few years away."

"Tesla Autopilot functions like the systems that airplane pilots use when conditions are clear," it explained.

"The driver is still responsible for, and ultimately in control of, the car."

The autosteer capability is still in beta form, Musk stressed, adding that the system would be updating itself systematically across the whole network of connected cars.

Tesla sold about 11,580 Model S cars during the third quarter.

Model X SUVs, which the group put on the market several weeks ago in a limited release, are also due to get the software.

But vehicle owners will have to pay an extra $2,500 for the autopilot software, either at the time of purchase or later.

- Driver still in charge -

Alongside the connected car, autonomous driving is one of the new buzzwords in the automobile sector.

Most automakers are rushing to invest in driverless technology, seen as the future in the industry.

What makes Tesla stand out, however, is the fact that the cars are electric. The company boasts "supercar acceleration" that allows vehicles to go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.

Among the best developed autopilot prototypes is Alphabet's Google Car, already on the road in several US states.

The Google car uses the same technology as its fleet of Lexus SUVs, which has logged about a million miles (1.6 million kilometers).

Mercedes presented a futuristic car with a traffic-jam assist that allows the car to steer, brake and accelerate on its own at slow speeds.

Earlier this month, Toyota presented a car that can drive itself along a highway.

The car, a modified Lexus GS, uses sophisticated sensors to navigate roads, merge lanes and overtake other vehicles.

The company hopes to make other cars with similar features available within five years, in time for Tokyo's hosting of the Olympics.

But South Korea's Hyundai has warned about the complex legal challenges of self-driving cars.

While fully autopilot systems without any human involvement could be ready by 2025, such technology would also bring with it "huge, huge challenges for our legal systems," European operations chief Thomas Schmid cautioned.

"Who is responsible for what? I'm not convinced until now that is a process which can be done in the next 10-15 years."

Indeed, existent law does not yet allow for completely autonomous, driver-less cars on the roads. And consumers will also have to adapt.

soe-gc-oh/fg/djw

Tesla

Google

Toyota

Hyundai


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Car Technology at SpaceMart.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
CAR TECH
Uber slip exposes data of some US drivers
San Francisco (AFP) Oct 14, 2015
Uber on Wednesday confirmed that a software slip briefly exposed personal data of hundreds of US drivers. The controversial ride-sharing company said that it stomped out the bug within a half-hour of getting word of the problem from a driver on Tuesday. "We were notified about a bug impacting a fraction of our US drivers," an Uber spokesperson said in an email reply to an AFP inquiry. ... read more


CAR TECH
Lunar Pox

Space startup confirms plans for robotic moon landings

Asteroids found to be the moon's main 'water supply'

Russian scientist hope to get rocket fuel, water, oxygen from Lunar ice

CAR TECH
Pebbles on Mars likely traveled tens of miles down a riverbed

To save on weight, a detour to the moon is the best route to Mars

Opportunity working at 'Marathon Valley' before winter relocation

The Journey to Mars: Bridging the Technology Gap

CAR TECH
NASA, Israel ink space cooperation agreement

Magnetic sail tech alternative to rocket-based space travel

NASA Appoints Mark Kirasich To Serve As Orion Program Manager

Back to the Future: Truth is stranger than sci-fi

CAR TECH
Latest Mars film bespeaks potential of China-U.S. space cooperation

Exhibition on "father of Chinese rocketry" opens in U.S.

The First Meeting of the U.S.-China Space Dialogue

China's new carrier rocket succeeds in 1st trip

CAR TECH
Clearing the Space Fog on ISS

International Space Agencies Meet to Advance Space Exploration

Meet the International Docking Adapter

NASA extends Boeing contract for International Space Station

CAR TECH
Both passengers for next Ariane 5 mission arrive in French Guiana

Arianespace signs ARSAT to launch a new satellite for Argentina

Ariane 5 orbits Sky Muster and ARSAT-2

A satellite launcher for the Middle East

CAR TECH
Airbus DS ready to start testing exoplanet tracker CHEOPS

Hubble Telescope Spots Mysterious Space Objects

Exoplanet Anniversary: From Zero to Thousands in 20 Years

Mysterious ripples found racing through planet-forming disc

CAR TECH
Methodology could lead to more sustainable manufacturing systems

New deposition technique enhances optoelectronic properties of lasers

Mathematicians find 'magic key' to drive Ramanujan's taxi-cab number

Using optical fiber to generate a two-micron laser









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.