A newly released Tesla software update allows car models to run on green lights without a driver's confirmation automatically. In the 2020.40.0.4 update, Tesla cars would no longer need a 'lead car' or a next car going in front of you to drive the vehicle on green lights automatically. The question here is, "is it safe?"
What's new on Tesla's 2020.40.0.4 update?
The inside of a Tesla vehicle is viewed as it sits parked in a new Tesla showroom and service center in Red Hook, Brooklyn on July 5, 2016 in New York City. The electric car company and its CEO and founder Elon Musk have come under increasing scrutiny following a crash of one of its electric cars while using the controversial autopilot service. Joshua Brown crashed and died in Florida on May 7 in a Tesla car that was operating on autopilot, which means that Brown's hands were not on the steering wheel.
Earlier this year, the company launched its new addition to the brand's Autopilot feature, which was called "Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control."
This feature automatically sets the vehicle to automatically stop when seeing red traffic lights. The car wouldn't go through, no matter what happens, once the vehicle detects the sign.
If the traffic signs blink yellow, the car would also slow down. Now, once the vehicle signals an intersection and sees a green light, it will require drivers to confirm the 'go' sign before hitting 'drive.'
At the time, this specific feature was changed to depend on 'lead cars.' Lead cars are the vehicles in front of you when driving.
Once the Tesla car detects green light and another vehicle is running in front of him, the vehicle will automatically run--no longer needed for the driver's confirmation.
But on the newly-released Tesla software update 2020.40.0.4, lead cars would no longer be necessary.
How it works
A Tesla electric-powered sedan stands at a Tesla charging staiton at a highway reststop along the A7 highway on June 11, 2015 near Rieden, Germany. Tesla has introduced a limited network of charging stations along the German highway grid in an effort to raise the viability for consumers to use the cars for longer journeys
Upon updating the Tesla car to a new software update called 2020.40.0.4, the feature allows the car to automatically drive once it sees green lights on the traffic signs.
All the original features from the Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control feature remain. One thing that will change is how the car will react to 'Go' green lights. As explained, the feature will no longer need a lead car or driver's confirmation to hit a drive on the feature.
"As you approach a green traffic light, in some situations where there is a straight path through the intersection, the Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control feature may no longer require explicit driver confirmation. If this occurs, the stop line in the driving visualization will turn green to indicate that the car will continue through an intersection. Confirmation is still required if your car is already stopped at the light when it turns green," Tesla explains.
Once Tesla detects the green, it will continue to run-- but on straight lines only. If you're turning, the feature will not work.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Jamie Pancho
