Tesla has just released FSD Beta 11.4.2 to its employees with update version 2023.7.10. This update focuses on bug fixes as Tesla aims to release it to FSD owners.
FSD Beta 11.4.1 started going out to early testers, but the rollout was soon stopped. About 4% of FSD testers currently have access to that beta.
FSD Beta 11.4.2 was expected last week when Elon Musk announced it would start rolling out over the weekend, however, we're glad to see that it's now in employee hands.
What's New
In Musk's tweet last week, he revealed that this update will address small bugs around 'excess conservatism', focusing on improvements around narrow roads and lane changes.
However, since most Tesla owners with access to FSD Beta are still on version 11.3.6, this update will be a much bigger deal.
Not only will it contain the significant changes from FSD Beta 11.4, but also the many improvements Tesla added in FSD Beta 11.4.1, as well as non-FSD features that were introduced in updates 2023.2 and 2023.6.
Major FSD Improvements Included
The most recent FSD Beta, 11.4.1 included improvements in turning and overall smoothness of the vehicle by better determining the environment around the vehicle.
It also made improvements in assertiveness when encountering nearby pedestrians or vehicles in its path, which can lead to sudden braking or jerkiness. The vehicle will now measure the probability of interacting with the vehicle or pedestrian instead of coming to a sudden halt.
Other refinements include several improvements to lane changes and when to take them, as well as a better understanding of bus lanes and when to use them.
Improved Speed Control
One of the biggest improvements in this beta involves speed control. When in Autopilot, the vehicle will typically use the speed limit of the road plus the percentage offset that you have set. However, as we know, the speed limit is only one factor that should be considered when determining your speed. Autopilot will now smartly adapt its speed based on weather conditions and the type of road it's on. For example, the vehicle will travel slower in parking lots, dirt roads, or in residential areas.
Release Date
When Tesla employees receive an FSD update, it indicates that we may see a public release, however, a lot of it is dependent on what issues are discovered.
Since FSD Beta 11.4.2 is a minor revision to the partially released beta 11.4.1, there is a much higher likelihood we could see this beta go into a wide release. Tesla last released FSD Beta 11.3.6 in the second week of April.
New Non-FSD Features
In addition to this update incorporating all the enhancements from FSD Beta versions 11.4 (release notes) and 11.4.1 (release notes), FSD Beta 11.4.2 also introduces several new non-FSD features that were previously available in updates 2023.2 and 2023.6.
These features include auto steering wheel heat (just in time for summer!), support for the Icelandic language, Tesla's Manual app, improvements to Apple Music, and changes to Sentry Mode lighting.
This FSD Beta update will be a major update for owners with access to FSD, not only bringing massive FSD improvements but also bringing them up to speed with some of the latest Tesla features.
Update: Musk has just tweeted that this release may be the one that goes to a wide release. Here's hoping! Keep your fingers crossed everyone, and keep checking that app for an update.
As Tesla update 2024.44.3 continues to roll out, we’re seeing more features in this update. While the update doesn’t include many new feature, it either improves existing features or rolls out a feature to new regions. Actually Smart Summon is rolling out to Europe, although with more strict restrictions. AutoPark is also rolling out to the UK and several other countries for the first time, and we’re now seeing improvements to Autopark arriving in North America and Europe.
As Tesla’s 2024.44.3 update continues to roll out, more features in the update are being revealed. While this update doesn’t introduce many entirely new features, it does refine existing features or expand the reach of others.
Notably, Actually Smart Summon is now rolling out in Europe, albeit with stricter regulations. Vision-based AutoPark is debuting in the UK and several other countries, while North America and Europe are receiving updates that further improve Autopark’s functionality.
Improvements to Autopark
As part of the same update, Tesla is making a batch of improvements to Autopark in Europe and North America. In the release notes, Tesla states that Autopark is receiving performance and visualization improvements. Unfortunately, Tesla doesn’t go into more detail here, but it sounds like these improvements could be the faster and more accurate Autopark enhancements Ashok Elluswamy talked about earlier this year.
Those improvements are expected to make Autopark more reliable, let it pick spots faster, move faster into them, and also shift between forward and reverse faster. The improvements would also let the vehicle park in tighter spots than before, with more accurate vision.
We’ll have to wait and see how this improved Autopark compares to the current version.
Your vehicle's Autopark performance and visualizatons have been improved.
Autopark in the UK and Other Countries
Countries in Europe that previously didn’t have access to Vision-Based Autopark, including the UK, will now have access to the new Autopark for the first time with update 2024.44.3 and later. This includes countries such as the UK, Ireland and Malaysia.
While these countries are receiving Autopark, it’s not clear whether it includes the Autopark improvements that other regions are receiving. The release notes don’t include the Autopark Improvements section in these countries, but that could be due to Tesla simplifying the release notes for these countries that are receiving Autopark for the first time.
With Autopark finally introduced in these regions, it’ll be the first time vehicles without ultrasonic sensors are capable of Autopark. Vision-Based Autopark is far more reliable, faster, and easier to use in more situations than the older USS-based solution.
Tesla has finally released Actually Smart Summon for Europe and the Middle East, albeit with several major restrictions. However, it's definitely a first step towards unlocking autonomy in Europe.
Europe’s autonomy laws are governed under UNECE regulation R79, which regulates autonomous features and is extremely restrictive in how autonomy can be used and applied. For example, the previous revision (Rev 4) of R79 required drivers to approve, with physical action, every decision made by an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature.
Limited Actually Smart Summon
Under Rev 5 of UNECE R79, Actually Smart Summon can actually function, but only to a limited degree. Owners have to be within 6 meters (19.5 feet) of the vehicle at all times, making it barely more usable than Dumb Summon (can we coin the term Dummon?).
In addition, you can only travel a total distance (under the regulation) of 100 meters (328 feet) - which means you’d have to run beside the vehicle or be inside it, rendering it mostly useless. However, Tesla has, for some reason, limited the total summon distance to 15-20m (50 to 65 feet) of travel. These limits are in sharp contrast to the distance limits of A.S.S. in North America.
Getting UNECE R79 Updated
Tesla has been hard at work getting R79 repealed or updated to allow for further autonomy after running demos for senior politicians earlier in the year. Back in March, we reported that updating DCAS regulations in Europe would help get FSD approved - but that covered driver assistance, not autonomy. In fact, Tesla was testing FSD with validation vehicles as far back as February of this year, hinting that Supervised FSD may be getting close.
Tesla FSD Validation Vehicle seen in Munich, Germany 👀
While FSD has a clear path forward in Europe, semi-autonomous features like Actually Smart Summon and Banish don’t just yet. The updated DCAS regulations do not cover semi-autonomy or autonomy and require clear interfaces, guidelines, and controls for drivers to be informed and engaged at all times.
It’ll take another big swing for Tesla to get autonomy regulations changed to allow for more semi-supervised autonomy like Actually Smart Summon - much less fully autonomous products like the Robotaxi Network, Cybercab, and Robovan.
