Tesla continues its drive to redefine its FSD suite with the release of its latest FSD Beta 11.4.3 update. Initially tested by employees and select public testers, the update has expanded drastically yesterday and today and is now available to about 29% of all beta users.
An Emphasis on Improved Experience
Tesla’s FSD Beta 11.4.3 serves as a bugfix release, aiming to iron out the creases and offer a more refined, seamless driving experience. Despite maintaining the same release notes as Beta 11.4.2, the focus of this release is to refine the driving experience.
Eligibility for the Update
Eligibility for the update largely depends on the software version installed on the owner's vehicle. Owners on update 2023.7.10 (FSD Beta 10.4.2), are expected to receive this beta, unless Tesla stops the roll out. However, individuals on version 2023.12.10 (FSD Beta 11.3.6) must wait for an update on the 2023.12 branches or higher.
Another update indicates Tesla's unwavering commitment to achieving a completely autonomous driving future. Each bug fix, no matter how minor, brings us closer to a world where our cars understand and respond to the environment as a human driver would - but with greater precision, constant vigilance, and no susceptibility to distraction or fatigue.
Moreover, the FSD updates embody Tesla's customer-focused approach. By first rolling out the beta versions to a small percentage of users, Tesla can gather valuable feedback in a controlled environment. This strategy ensures that potential issues are identified and resolved before the software is released on a larger scale.
FSD Beta 11.4.3 is expected to continue its rollout today. Check your Tesla app, and see if you're one of the lucky ones to be included in this latest wave. You can also follow the roll out of this beta on our FSD Beta 11.4.3 statistics page.
Tesla China has outlined some features in Tesla’s latest update in the region, which is version 2024.26.9. In the list of features, Tesla mentions many of the features we’re already aware of, including Automatic Emergency Braking Improvements, YouTube Music and more, but they also reveal one additional feature that’s exclusive to China. The new feature allows the new blind spot indicator to light up if there’s something in the way when you’re opening your door. The blind spot indicator is exclusive to the new Model 3 and Cybertruck, which features little red LEDs in the front speaker grills next to the mirror.
Blind Spot Door Warnings
With update 2024.26.9, Tesla says that if any vehicle door handle button is pressed on vehicles with a Blind Spot Warning Light (currently just the 2024 Refreshed Model 3 Highland and the Cybertruck), the blind spot warning indicator in the vehicle’s front speakers will illuminate.
This object detection includes cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and “other objects”. We’re not quite sure what fits into the “other objects” category, but likely things that FSD picks up on normally – including traffic cones, bollards, and other large obstacles.
According to Tesla’s description, there appears to only be a visual warning for the driver and front passenger, with nothing displayed on screen or an audible tone. We’re sure Tesla will continue to expand and refine this feature like they’ve done with various features in the past, but for now, it's only available in China. Blind Spot Door Warnings need to be enabled under Controls > Safety before this feature will function.
We’d love to see Tesla use the ambient light strip in the vehicle to warn passengers and drivers when their door is obstructed – it would be a fantastic use of a luxury feature for utilitarian safety – rather than just the single red LED inside the door speaker. Additionally, an audio warning would be excellent for those who may not see the red dot.
Tesla appears to be making progress on FSD in China, with the latest update available in the region now displaying the FSD button in the vehicle. Tesla makes no note of the change in the release notes, nor does it appear to be available in any other regions that are expected to receive access to FSD in the future.
FSD in the UI
In the Autopilot options in China, users could previously select Traffic-Aware Cruise Control or Auto Steer (Beta), however, as of 2024.26.9, the Full Self Driving (Supervised) button is now visible – but greyed out. Tapping on the option doesn’t do anything just yet, but the addition of the button could be a hint that Tesla is planning to enable the feature soon.
Underneath the Autopilot selection, Tesla also has a phrase that says, “Full Self-Driving (Supervised) needs to use an updated version of navigation maps. Connect to Wi-Fi to download” (Thanks, Luis Zhu). It’s possible the option is greyed out because the software needs updated maps to work. There are no reports yet of what happens when the navigation map is downloaded.
We previously reported that FSD was on hold in China, even after Tesla received approval to start testing FSD in China. This flip-flopping is interesting but could be due to regulatory issues between China and Tesla regarding data collection and where the data is stored. Now that the button is in the UI – Tesla is clearly confident that it either has received approval or will in short order.
It certainly appears that Tesla is going to be opening up FSD in the region fairly soon. It’ll be interesting to see if Tesla uses the same Safety Score feature they used in the U.S. when choosing drivers to beta test the program.
Elon Musk previously mentioned that FSD (Supervised) would be rolling out to global markets, including Europe and China, as Tesla received approvals from governments in those nations.
