Tesla’s Latest Update Brings End-to-End Neural Networks to Highway Driving

Tesla has introduced a groundbreaking update to its (Supervised) Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, now featuring end-to-end neural networks for highway driving. This innovation, which was long awaited by Tesla enthusiasts, is exclusive to vehicles equipped with the HW4 hardware, further cementing the advanced capabilities of Tesla’s newer models.

What is End-to-End Neural Networking?

End-to-end neural networks allow Tesla’s AI to manage driving tasks by processing vision data directly into controls, bypassing the need for traditional, explicitly coded algorithms. Previously, this setup was only utilized for city driving. Highway driving, on the other hand, relied on an older, distinct software stack—until now.

The update integrates neural networks across all driving environments, including highways, city streets, and parking lots, marking a significant leap in Tesla’s journey toward fully autonomous vehicles.

Release Timeline and Availability

Tesla initially planned the update for October but limited its deployment to a small number of vehicles. Following a revised timeline, the update, now identified as version 12.5.6.3, was released widely in early November. Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s head of self-driving and AI, confirmed the broader rollout for HW4 vehicle owners.

Key Features of the Latest FSD Update

1. End-to-End Neural Network for Highway Driving:
   • Delivers a smoother and more natural driving experience.
   • Aims to improve safety by reducing reliance on traditional control systems.
2. Customizable Driving Preferences:
   • Users can adjust speed, lane-change aggressiveness, and other settings to align with their driving style.
3. Unified Driving Experience:
   • Integration of neural networks for highways, city streets, and parking enhances consistency.

What About HW3 Vehicles?

While HW4 owners enjoy the latest advancements, HW3 vehicles, now referred to as AI3, are nearing the limits of their hardware capabilities. Tesla continues to optimize code for HW3 models, but significant advancements, like the new end-to-end neural networks, are unavailable. HW3 updates under v12.5.x focus on incremental improvements for city driving but remain a step behind Tesla’s goal of unsupervised self-driving.

What This Means for Tesla Owners

For HW4-equipped vehicles, the update is a significant step forward in achieving fully autonomous driving. The end-to-end neural network technology offers a more seamless transition between different driving environments, improving performance across highways, urban streets, and parking. However, owners of older Tesla models must rely on Tesla’s ongoing software optimizations for incremental upgrades.

Tesla’s latest FSD update showcases the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of autonomous driving technology. While the dream of unsupervised self-driving remains on the horizon, this update represents a pivotal moment in Tesla’s roadmap, redefining the driving experience for HW4 vehicle owners.

Afsheen Gohar

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