Is Tesla About to See Everything? A Major Autopilot Upgrade is Here!
Imagine your car not just seeing the road, but truly understanding everything around it. Tesla's Autopilot visualization is leveling up in a big way, promising to paint a far more detailed picture of your car's surroundings. This isn't just a cosmetic change; it's about making Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) safer and more reliable.
The Autopilot visualization, that handy display on your center touchscreen, has been evolving. It started with basic outlines, but now it identifies different types of vehicles, pedestrians, and even animals. Think of it as giving your Tesla a sharper pair of eyes.
Tesla is rolling out a significant update, adding a whole host of new objects to its repertoire of recognizable things. According to Tesla hacker @greentheonly, the following new visualizations are coming soon:
- Ambulance
- Firetruck
- Garbage Truck
- School Bus
- European Semi Truck
- Golf Cart
- Person on a Scooter
- Person on a Skateboard
- Stroller
- Street Sweeper
- Three-Wheeler
- Trailer
- Train
- Tram
- Person in a Wheelchair
[Here's a visual representation of all the Autopilot visualization renders.]
But here's where it gets controversial: the current system isn't perfect. Sometimes, if the car sees something it doesn't have a perfect render for, it substitutes the closest match. One Tesla owner reported that, when driving past an Amish family in a horse-drawn carriage, the system displayed a small box truck instead. While this is a humorous example, it highlights the critical need for accuracy, especially as Tesla pushes for full autonomy.
Why does this matter?
This visualization is more than just eye candy. It's a crucial element for both manual driving and the ongoing development of Autopilot and FSD. A clear and accurate representation of the environment gives drivers more confidence and allows the system to make better decisions. Think of it as a digital safety net, helping to prevent accidents and improve overall driving safety. This is also a key differentiator for Tesla; few other companies invest so heavily in this level of environmental awareness.
And this is the part most people miss: Tesla's dedication to refining this visualization suite demonstrates their commitment to improving self-driving technology, one render at a time. By constantly adding new objects and refining existing ones, Tesla is building a more robust and reliable system.
The Future is Unreal (Engine)?
There's even talk that Tesla is exploring the use of Unreal Engine, a powerful 3D creation tool, to create an even more realistic and immersive visualization of the vehicle's surroundings. While not yet confirmed, code snippets found in Model S and Model X software suggest this could be a major upgrade on the horizon. Imagine a photorealistic representation of the world around your car – that's the potential of Unreal Engine.
A Fresh Coat of Paint: Tesla Launches New "Marine Blue" Color at Giga Berlin
In other news, Tesla has launched a new "Marine Blue" color, exclusively available for Model Y vehicles produced at Giga Berlin. This adds to the factory's repertoire of unique colors, reinforcing its reputation as having Tesla's most advanced paint shop.
The new color costs €1,300, the same price as Diamond Black and Stealth Grey. Quicksilver and Ultra Red remain the premium options at double the cost. Marine Blue joins Deep Metallic Blue and Glacier Blue as the third shade of blue offered in Tesla's global lineup. It seems Tesla is committed to offering a wide array of color options to suit every customer's taste.
Remember the Midnight Cherry Red color that was available back in 2022? Tesla discontinued it earlier this year, likely to make room for the new Marine Blue. This shows how Tesla continuously evaluates its offerings based on customer demand and production capabilities.
Q3 EV Sales: Tesla Dominates, But Cybertruck Misses the Mark
Tesla continued its reign as the top-selling EV brand in the US during Q3, but the Cybertruck's performance was a notable disappointment. While the overall EV market saw a surge in sales due to the expiring $7,500 tax credit, the Cybertruck failed to live up to the hype.
The top 10 best-selling EVs in Q3 were:
- Tesla Model Y – 114,897
- Tesla Model 3 – 53,857
- Chevrolet Equinox EV – 25,085
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 – 21,999
- Honda Prologue – 20,236
- Ford Mustang Mach-E – 20,177
- Volkswagen ID.4 – 12,470
- Audi Q6 e-tron – 10,299
- Ford F-150 Lightning – 10,005
- Rivian R1S – 8,184
Electric vehicles accounted for 10.5% of total automotive sales in Q3, a new record. However, the Cybertruck, despite being the second-best-selling EV pickup with 5,385 units sold, fell short of expectations. The Ford F-150 Lightning outsold it with 10,005 units.
Initial reservation trackers suggested demand for one to two million Cybertrucks. The main culprit for the underperformance? Pricing. Tesla originally announced much lower prices for the different configurations, which are now a thing of the past.
Giga Shanghai Ramps Up Production
Tesla is gearing up for an even stronger Q4 with increased production at Giga Shanghai. Vice President Grace Tao announced that the factory is ramping up manufacturing to meet the high demand for Tesla vehicles in China and the Asia-Pacific region.
Giga Shanghai is a crucial export hub, supplying vehicles to countries like New Zealand and Australia. The factory is responsible for roughly half of Tesla's global deliveries, and is known for producing some of the highest-quality Tesla vehicles.
Tesla recently launched the Model Y L, a longer version with a third row of seating, exclusively for the Chinese market. This shows Tesla's commitment to catering to local preferences and maintaining its competitive edge in the Chinese market.
What do you think?
- Is Tesla's investment in Autopilot visualization a game-changer for safety, or just a fancy gimmick?
- Does the new Marine Blue color entice you? What color would you love to see Tesla offer?
- Were you surprised by the Cybertruck's sales figures? Do you think it will eventually live up to the hype?
- Do you think increasing production at Giga Shanghai is a good move? Will they be able to keep up with demand?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
