Tesla's latest FSD Beta update is so good that it should skip the version 12.3 name and go right to v13. That at least, is the opinion of Elon Musk, who has a history of being overly optimistic.
Despite the same release notes as its predecessor, v12.2.1, Elon Musk has emphasized the substantial improvements in this version. It has been released to a select group of employees and customers.
The Promise of FSD Beta v12.3
While release notes for FSD Beta 12.3 mirror those of the previous iteration, Musk's assertion of its importance cannot be understated. Described as a "big release," 12.3 is expected to bring us closer to achieving levels 4-5 of autonomous driving. The core enhancement in v12 lies in the shift towards end-to-end neural networks for vehicle control, moving away from traditional programming methods. This change aims to facilitate more natural, human-like driving behaviors. However, Tesla hacker Greentheonly believes the “end-to-end” nature of v12 may be overstated. Does FSD v12.3 possibly get us one step closer to video in, and (vehicle) controls out?
Selective Rollout and Future Plans
FSD Beta 12.3's deployment remains very limited, much like any of the v12 versions. FSD subscribers in the U.S. and Canada (FSD subscription coming to Canada) are still on the holiday update, the same update from four months ago. Meanwhile, these subscribers are watching a few hand-picked beta testers demonstrate V12.
With this latest FSD Beta reaching only some Tesla employees and several hand-picked customers, it looks like Tesla is back to testing FSD releases with a special group. Just a few months ago, Tesla had two software tracks, the production track which included a stable version of FSD Beta and included the latest Tesla updates, and the “early” FSD Beta track, which had the latest public FSD Beta build but was often 2-3 firmware updates behind.
It looks like Tesla may have wanted to do away with that, but in the process has left all FSD customers on older firmware that doesn’t contain the latest FSD Beta build or the latest features in update 2024.2 or update 2024.8.3.
Maybe Tesla should consider giving customers the choice of development tracks. They already have the “Software Update Preference” setting in the vehicle that allows customers to pick from the “Standard” or “Advanced” software tracks.
FSD Beta: A Journey of Innovation
FSD updates used to be regular with builds often going out every two weeks. However, in the past year, the release cycle has slowed down to just a few FSD Beta updates per year. This extended delay in rolling out v12, which was first demonstrated by Musk last summer, may provide insight into how complex the new system is and how challenging it is for Tesla’s team of engineers. Despite delays and cautious rollouts, Tesla's dedication to refining and advancing its FSD technology remains unwavering.
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The Cybertruck is having an eventful November. Just last week, we shared the news that Tesla isn’t offering their in-house wrap service for the Cybertruck anymore; the Foundation Series is now available in inventory in select US locations, Crossbars have arrived, and faster charging is around the corner. Now there’s even more to discuss about the stainless steel beast.
Projection Puddle Lights
Like the recently launched puddle lights for the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla has introduced a set of add-on Projector Puddle Lights for the Cybertruck. These Cybertruck-specific ones go for $75 USD, or $105 CAD and are available in both the Canadian and US Tesla stores.
However, these don’t have the Tesla wordmark - instead, they feature the iconic Cybertruck symbol and, in our opinion, look even nicer. Here’s to hoping Tesla also introduces a set with the graffiti-style Cybertruck wordmark.
Powershare in Canada
While the Foundation Series Cybertruck has been getting delivered in Canada since November 7th, there was no news on Powershare being supported due to regulatory constraints. On the 20th, Foundation Series owners in Canada began to receive emails to get their Powershare installs started through Tesla’s official installer - Qmerit.
More to follow on pricing and the process as we receive our Canadian quote from Qmerit soon.
FSD in Canada
The Cybertruck Program Manager, Siddhant Awasthi, confirmed that with Powershare now becoming available, FSD for the Cybertruck in Canada will also become available soon. Canadian trucks shipped with a factory software build that didn’t include FSD, but did include TACC and stoplight/traffic control.
Early this morning Tesla began rolling out a new version of FSD 12.5.5.3 for the Cybertruck, which is update 2024.39.5. Will this be the version that rolls out in Canada?
Following Integrated Flight Test 6 for SpaceX’s Starship, Elon Musk confirmed that uncrewed Starships are likely to begin making their way to Mars in about 2 years. You’re probably going to ask what’s going to be in those Starships - that’s what Brett Winston on X asked as well. Elon confirmed that Cybertrucks and Optimus robots will be among some of the first items landing on Mars.
That’s a ton of awesome news for Cybertruck, and there’s absolutely going to be more around the corner, especially as we await the big Tesla Holiday Update. While you wait, why not take a look at our Holiday Update Wishlists?
Tesla software update 2024.44.3 has started rolling out to customers in larger waves recently and it brings several new features - including Actually Smart Summon to Europe and the Middle East, as well as improvements to Autopark. But that’s not all, it also adds a new Blind Spot Monitoring feature to the new Model 3, and potentially the Cybertruck, but that’s still to be determined.
We previously covered the Blind Spot Warning While Parked as part of our preview notes for update 2024.44, but now that it's going out to customers, it's time to see it in action.
If the vehicle’s door open button is pressed, and a vehicle or object is near or incoming, the vehicle’s Blind Spot Warning Light (2024 Model 3 and Cybertruck) will illuminate, an audible tone will ring and the door won’t open. A message will also be displayed on the center displaying, letting driver’s know why the door didn’t open.
Pressing the button a second time will allow you to override the warning and open the door normally, providing a way to get out in case you just parked close to a nearby vehicle or obstacle.
The object detection for this new feature includes cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and other objects - like things including traffic cones, bollards, strollers, and other large obstacles that FSD and vision-based Autopark detect during normal operation. Of note - this only works for the front two doors. Thanks to X user Max, who did some testing for us, It does not work for the rear passenger doors.
Optional Feature
The feature is optional - it’ll be enabled by default for safety, but if you need to enable or disable it, you can do so under Controls > Safety. For now, the feature is only available on the 2024 Model 3, but we expect it to roll out to the Cybertruck at least. However, there’s no reason why it can’t be added to other vehicles as well, minus the small red dot. We expect Tesla to eventually add this feature to all Tesla vehicles, but it’s currently not a part of update 2024.44.
Enhauto’s S3XY Buttons & Commander
If that’s not enough safety and vision for you, Enhauto, the makers of the popular S3XY Buttons and Commander recently put out a new software update for the 2024 Model 3, which makes some fantastic use of the ambient lighting.
With Enhauto’s solution, users are able to tie their ambient lights to Autopilot use, turn signals or even if a vehicle is their blind spot. Check out the video below for this awesome implementation, where the ambient lights turn red when another vehicle approaches.
Maybe Tesla will integrate something like this into a future update? We’ve been hoping for more customizability with their ambient lighting - it's an easy safety win and a demonstration of Tesla’s do-more-with-less attitude.
I look forward to @enhauto updates more than Tesla...
Ambient light effects....
I set default color to white. Blinks green on turn signals Turns blue on FSD activation Yellow if someone in blind spot Blinks red if turn signal on and blind spot activity detected.
![First Look at Tesla’s New 'Blind Spot While Parked' Feature [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/model-3-2024/blind-spot-indicator-monitor.jpg/4cdcb11af7b1c7cf021ba96588fd4f1a/blind-spot-indicator-monitor.jpg)
