A Model S running Tesla’s newest Autopilot update (v8.1 2018.12) successfully managed to drive over a tough curve on an inconsistently-marked road without disengaging.
The video of the feat was recently uploaded to YouTube by My Tesla Adventure. According to the Model S owner, previous versions of the advanced driver-assist feature have always disengaged whenever he attempted to make the turn in the clip, primarily due to the few and inconsistent lane markings on the road. With Tesla’s latest Autopilot update, however, this was not the case anymore.
The YouTuber kept his hand on the wheel as the car tackled the curve, just in case the driver-assist feature disengaged. While My Tesla Adventure noted that the steering wheel got a little jerky when the lanes became barely visible, Autopilot nevertheless stayed on. The car also adjusted its speed accordingly, keeping a steady 25-30 mph before accelerating promptly at the end of the curve.
As noted by the YouTuber in the comments section of his video, the vast improvement in Autopilot’s capabilities seems to be caused by Tesla’s neural net, which enables its fleet of vehicles to learn from other cars on the road. In a statement to Teslarati, My Tesla Adventure noted that the latest updates suggest that the company’s neural net is steadily advancing forward.
“The neural net has really taken a jump forward, and it’s now advanced enough to handle complex situations. That is game-changing. It’s a full-factor improvement from v8.1 (2018.6) to v8.1 (2018.10.4), and I would say even more smoothing around the edges with v8.1 (2018.12),” he said.
Tesla’s Autopilot has been exhibiting vast improvements since the release of v8.1 (2018.10.4). Just recently, we reported on a Model S tackling one of Vienna’s “crappiest” roads on Autopilot. During that particular drive, Tesla’s Autopilot had to contend with old, narrow, cobblestoned streets that were full of bends and changes in elevation. Despite the road’s challenging conditions, however, the Model S’ Autopilot system was able to handle the drive without a single disengagement.
The improvements in Autopilot have been a long time coming. When Tesla released its Q4 2017 update letter, the Elon Musk-led company stated that a revamp of its AP2.0 software had been completed. References to the work being done on Tesla’s AI and neural net were also mentioned in one of the company’s letters to shareholders last year. The Autopilot overhaul was ultimately confirmed by Tesla’s AI Director Andrej Karpathy, who thanked the Tesla community on Twitter. In his tweet, Karpathy stated that the current version (then 2018.10.4) was the result of a “fairly extensive rewrite.”
Watch My Tesla Adventure’s Model S tackle an AP-stopping curve on Autopilot in the video below.
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0 likes 5 days ago
it would be interesting to see how the video ended without the driver disengaging autopilot and slowing down .
0 likes 5 days ago
Is this a TESLA safe and recommended use of auto pilot on a public highway?
Does Teslarti encourage this stuff by posting it?
0 likes 5 days ago
Is this a TESLA safe and recommended use of auto pilot on a public highway?
I disagree with Tesla’s policy of allowing anyone to become a beta test driver for their still unrefined Auto Pilot system. But, yes, He was obeying Tesla’s recommended use by remaining attentive and ready to take over at a moment’s notice.
0 likes 5 days ago
1:00 watch the Honda indicate for the lane merge , but autopilot did not seem to react .
it would be interesting to see how the video ended without the driver disengaging autopilot and slowing down .
Probably would have impacted. There was no indication that the AP was slowing down when he disengaged.
0 likes 5 days ago
I disagree with Tesla’s policy of allowing anyone to become a beta test driver for their still unrefined Auto Pilot system. But, yes, He was obeying Tesla’s recommended use by remaining attentive and ready to take over at a moment’s notice.
I believe if one actually takes the time and reads TESLA’s SAFE Autopilot user operational guidelines.. one that can comprehend the written word would also find navigating an off ramp or on ramp is NOT a recommended place to «toy» with autopilot..
0 likes 5 days ago
1:00 watch the Honda indicate for the lane merge , but autopilot did not seem to react .
it would be interesting to see how the video ended without the driver disengaging autopilot and slowing down .[/QUOTE]It would not crash because of the sensors but would definitely do a uncomfortable hard brake pretty late. It’s known by Tesla owners, cars cutting you off in lane changes can’t be predicted until they are in your lane for 60% or so, and AP only responds then by doing a hard brake when it’s too close. In closer situations the sensors would take over and the car would brake immediately but that’s definitelly not the right answer either.Lane merges are even harder to predict because by the time AP knows the lanes merged it’s already too late. Better prediction comes in time. As for AP1 hardware can already do some prediction and especially people cutting of your lane it responds much quicker!
Not to worry hardware wise AP2 is much better. The software is almost getting there with all these latest updates.
[QUOTE=»Roy_H, post: 13781, member: 23431″]Probably would have impacted. There was no indication that the AP was slowing down when he disengaged.
Nope, they would not impact. Slowing down happens late when people get in your lane. At first it thinks the neighbouring car is just pingponging over the line until it’s well on it’s way in the lane which activates the brakes pretty roughly as well to keep a safe distance. It’s always annoying when you are on AP and people try to fit their cars between you and the car AP is already keeping distance from. If it’s a really close call the Sensors would trigger the brake as well.
0 likes 5 days ago
It would not crash because of the sensors but would definitely do a uncomfortable hard brake pretty late. It’s known by Tesla owners, cars cutting you off in lane changes can’t be predicted until they are in your lane for 60% or so, and AP only responds then by doing a hard brake when it’s too close. In closer situations the sensors would take over and the car would brake immediately but that’s definitelly not the right answer either.
Lane merges are even harder to predict because by the time AP knows the lanes merged it’s already too late. Better prediction comes in time. As for AP1 hardware can already do some prediction and especially people cutting of your lane it responds much quicker!
Not to worry hardware wise AP2 is much better. The software is almost getting there with all these latest updates.
Nope, they would not impact. Slowing down happens late when people get in your lane. At first it thinks the neighbouring car is just pingponging over the line until it’s well on it’s way in the lane which activates the brakes pretty roughly as well to keep a safe distance. It’s always annoying when you are on AP and people try to fit their cars between you and the car AP is already keeping distance from. If it’s a really close call the Sensors would trigger the brake as well.
I definitely could take that ramp faster, smoother and with more confidence operating that vehicle hands on.. after wrinkling that $110K vehicle for $10 K fender bender worth of repair the 1st time AP makes an error.. then you too will realize that merging and using AP on off-on ramps is unsafe , unwise, and can be a very costly operation of AP tech..
Please use AP@ your own peril.. don’t take someone else along for your last hurrah..
