Tesla 8.1 unlocks bounty of features for equipped vehicles.
Electric-vehicle mavericks Tesla have finally rolled out its updated Autopilot software, which makes full-use of the updated sensor suite that have been packed into its cars since October 2016. Despite the beefed-up hardware, new Teslas have had certain Autopilot features locked while the company fine-tuned the software.
After a slow rollout over a period of months, Tesla Software 8.1 is now rolling out in full, unlocking several key features for Tesla vehicles packing hardware 2 (HW2) sensors. Lane Departure Warning makes an appearance here, which sends a vibration through the steering wheel should you drift over lane markings without indicating.
High-Speed Autosteer also makes its debut with Tesla 8.1, which will now pilot the vehicle at speeds of up to 130km/h, maintaining the vehicle’s position within a lane. This works in conjunction with ‘Auto Lane Change,’ which allows the car to change lanes autonomously with a flick of the indicator stalk. Lastly, Tesla brings its game up to BMW and Mercedes-Benz by offering ‘Summon,’ which sees a Tesla pull in and drive out of parking spaces entirely autonomously, by holding down a button on the key or by using the Tesla app.
Tesla 8.1 also bundles in features like the ability to set the opening height of the ‘Falcon Wing’ doors on the Model X SUV, and adjustability of front-seat headrests. The new software and features will be made available to customers worldwide via over-the-air updates in due course.
