Everything you need to know about Tesla’s new self-driving system (TSLA)

Tesla

Tesla cars currently in production, as well as the upcoming Model 3, will be equipped with the hardware to become fully self-driving, the electric car maker announced Wednesday.

"The foundation has been laid for fully autonomous, it's twice as safe as a human, maybe better," CEO Elon Musk said during a media call Wednesday evening. 

But that doesn’t necessarily mean Tesla vehicles will start zipping around autonomously right away. 

Here’s a closer look at what the company is doing and how it plans to roll out the technology.

Tesla will now offer Enhanced Autopilot, which is an improved semi-autonomous system, and a system that offers full self-driving capability.

Consumers will be able to choose between an Enhanced Autopilot system and a system that has full self-driving capabilities.

Enhanced Autopilot is basically a new and improved version of Tesla’s current Autopilot system with improved capabilities, including the ability to match speeds to traffic conditions, exit the freeway automatically, and change lanes automatically without input.

Tesla’s full self-driving system, on the other hand, will be able to achieve so-called Level 5 autonomy, Musk said.  This means that once the software is ready and regulations are in place, Tesla cars will be able to drive without human intervention.

Tesla vehicles with this full self-driving system will be capable of operating on highways and city streets.

All of Tesla’s cars going forward will be equipped with the hardware that makes full autonomy possible.

This includes eight cameras, 12 ultrasonic sonar sensors, a forward facing radar, and a new onboard computer that provides 40 times the computing power of the previous generation of Autopilot.

The cameras along with the radar and other sensors give the vehicle 360 degrees of visibility around the car at up to 250 meters of range.

However, the hardware in use will depend on the system you decide to purchase.

Enhanced Autopilot uses four of the eight cameras to operate, while the full self-driving system takes advantage of all eight cameras.

It sounds like the whole process of using the fully autonomous system will be pretty easy. 

According to Tesla's website, you can simply get in the vehicle, say where you want to go, then the car will calculate the best route and drive you to your destination. 

If you do not say a destination, the car will look at your calendar and automatically drive you to the destination listed. If nothing is on the calendar, the car will take you home, the company states on its website. 

"Your Tesla will figure out the optimal route, navigate urban streets (even without lane markings), manage complex intersections with traffic lights, stop signs and roundabouts, and handle densely packed freeways with cars moving at high speed," the company said.

"When you arrive at your destination, simply step out at the entrance and your car will enter park seek mode, automatically search for a spot and park itself. A tap on your phone summons it back to you."

You can learn more about how the system will work here.

Enhanced Autopilot costs $5,000 and the fully self-driving system prices at $8,000 at the time of purchase.

You can choose to turn on Enhanced Autopilot or the full self-driving capabilities after purchase, but it will cost you $6,000 and $10,000 respectively.

All Tesla vehicles currently in production include the new hardware that enables full autonomy. However, if you buy a Tesla today, that doesn’t mean you can just hand over complete control to you car.

Enhanced Autopilot functions are expected to roll out in December, according to Tesla’s website.

If you opt for Tesla’s fully autonomous system, you will also begin to get the same features included in Enhanced Autopilot in December. But it is still unclear when your car will become completely autonomous.

“Self-driving functionality is dependent upon extensive software validation and regulatory approval, which may vary widely by jurisdiction,” Tesla states on its website.

So basically, you'll be waiting before your car is driving you around autonomously.

See Also:

• Here's how Tesla's new self-driving system will work
• As the Apple car dies, Tesla pushes the envelope on self-driving
• Elon Musk just said Tesla's product unveiling will be related to the Model 3

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