With FSD V13.2.6 continuing to make its way to AI4 vehicles, Tesla has been on a streak with minor FSD improvements since the launch of FSD V13 just a little over two months ago.
FSD V13 brought a new slate of features, including Start FSD from Park, Reverse, and Park at Destination. It also introduced full-resolution video input using the AI4 cameras at 36hz and made use of the new Cortex supercomputer to get faster and more accurate decision-making.
So, what’s next with FSD V14? Tesla gave us a sneak peek at what’s next for FSD.
FSD V14
The standout feature of FSD V14 will be auto-regressive transformers. While that’s a complex term for those unfamiliar with AI or machine learning, we’ll break it down.
Auto-Regressive
An auto-regressive transformer processes sequential data in time, using that information to predict future elements based on previous ones. Imagine completing a sentence: You use the words already written to guess what comes next. This process isn't just about filling in the blank; it's about understanding the flow of the sentence and anticipating the speaker's intent.
FSD could analyze a sequence of camera images to identify pedestrians and predict their likely path based on their current movement and surrounding context. The system's auto-regressive nature allows it to learn from past sequences and improve its predictions over time, adapting to different driving scenarios.
Today, FSD reacts to what it sees, but soon it’ll be able to anticipate what will help, much like humans.
Transformers
The second part of that term is transformer, which is a component used to understand the relationships of elements inside a time sequence. It identifies which parts of the input are most crucial for making accurate predictions, allowing the system to prioritize information much like a human would. Think of it as weighing different pieces of evidence to arrive at a conclusion. For example, a transformer might recognize that a blinking turn signal is more important than the color of the car when predicting a lane change.
Putting It Together
Putting all that together, Tesla’s use of auto-regressive transformers means they’ll be working on how FSD can predict the plans and paths of the world around it. This will improve FSD’s already powerful perception and allow it to predict how other vehicles and vulnerable road users (VRUs) will behave.
What it all comes down to is that FSD will be able to make better decisions and plan its paths by making more informed, human-like decisions. That will be a big step towards improving V13 - which already has some very effective decision-making.
Larger Model and Context Size
Ashok Elluswamy (Tesla’s VP of AI) stated that FSD V14 will see larger model and context sizes in FSD V14, which coincidentally are listed in the upcoming improvements section of FSD V13.2.6. If we compare what Ashok said to what’s listed in the upcoming features section, the model and context sizes should grow by 3x.
Interestingly, Ashok says that AI4’s memory limits context size. Context is essentially the history of what the vehicle remembers, which is used for future decisions. Since this information is stored in memory, it’ll always be limited by memory, but it’s worth noting that Ashok mentioned that Tesla is restricted by the memory in the AI4 computer.
Leverage Audio Input
Tesla is already gathering audio data in existing FSD versions so that it can start training models with audio as well, truly making FSD more human-like. According to Ashok, FSD V14 will be the first version to take advantage of audio input for FSD driving. This will primarily be used for detecting emergency vehicles, but we can see this expanding to other sounds that help humans adjust their driving, such as car crashes, loud noises, honking, etc. At the very least, FSD could be more cautious when hearing a noise that matches an accident or vehicle honking.
FSD V14 Release Date
We haven’t heard from Elon Musk or Ashok Elluswamy about when FSD V14 will arrive. Ashok previously stated that FSD V13.4 would see audio inputs being used, but at Tesla’s earnings call, Tesla said that audio input would become relevant in V14, making it seem like Tesla may scrap V13.4 for V14.
Since Tesla is planning to launch their Robotaxi network in Texas this June, which is just four months away, FSD V14 may be the version used for its autonomous taxi fleet.
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While Tesla’s Cybertruck has access to FSD v13, it still doesn’t include some of the FSD features that are available on other HW4 vehicles. Features such as Start FSD from Park are currently not available on the Cybertruck.
Trusted sources have now informed Not a Tesla App that the Cybertruck will soon receive an FSD update that will enable a series of new features and bring the Cybertruck up to speed with other vehicles. The update is expected to arrive within the next 14 days.
Tesla’s AI team has been relatively quiet recently, and we haven’t seen a major FSD update since FSD v13.2.8 was released on February 17th, but we’re finally getting hints of what’s around the corner.
Here’s our exclusive look at what’s coming in the latest FSD update for Cybertruck.
New Features
If you don’t own a Cybertruck - or even if you do - you may not know that the Cybertruck is missing several FSD-related features. The first three features are all related to parking lot use and Tesla’s low-speed FSD stack, which hasn’t been available on the Cybertruck so far.
This FSD update will add the following features:
Start FSD from Park: Tesla’s Unpark feature allows FSD can be started while the vehicle is still in park. To do so, one can simply set their destination from the navigation and then tap and hold the blue Start FSD button. The car will shift out of park and into drive or reverse to get going.
Since FSD V13.2.1, Start FSD from Park now requires you to also tap the brake while holding down the Start FSD button to prevent accidental activation. This safeguard can be disabled in settings.
Ability to Reverse: FSD previously demonstrated quite a want to reverse - but it was never allowed to. You can tell the planner plans for the vehicle to go into reverse to follow the path, but once the vehicle needs to shift into reverse, it’s blocked from doing so. The Cybertruck will finally be able to shift into reverse - and also seamlessly shift between Park, Drive, and Reverse all by itself. This functionality also enables 3-point turns to help navigate tight spaces.
FSD can now do multi-point turns, even in super-tight locations like parking garages.
Park: Finally, when you arrive at your destination, FSD will now park itself if it finds an open spot near or at the final location. Previously, the user had to initiate Autopark - now, FSD will either switch over to Autopark to back in or park facing front-in based on the parking spot.
Tesla has indicated that new parking features will arrive in a future update that will allow the user to pick whether the vehicle pulls over, parks in a spot, or parks in a driveway or garage when it arrives at the destination.
Improved Controller
While the new features like Start FSD from Park are eye-catching, this improved controller will actually be the largest improvement to this FSD update.
This upcoming update improves FSD’s traffic control process, improving prediction accuracy, position tracking in 3D space, and environmental analysis. These changes allow FSD to make faster decisions, anticipate turns and lane changes sooner, and operate more smoothly.
The difference between FSD V12 and V13 had a major impact on driving feel and smoothness, but these improvements were never fully reached with the Cybertruck. While smoothness improved, it wasn’t on par with Tesla’s other HW4 models—until now.
Actually Smart Summon
The final part of the update is probably going to be the most fun - the arrival of Actually Smart Summon. This feature was launched back in September 2024 for other Tesla vehicles, but it was nowhere in sight for the Cybertruck.
We initially chalked this up to Tesla needing more time to improve and work on testing the Cybertruck’s vision accuracy with their LiDAR testing rigs. However, it really does seem like Tesla has been holding off on this update for quite some time to integrate the front bumper camera into Actually Smart Summon.
With Actually Smart Summon, other Tesla vehicles will sometimes roll backward in their parking spots - to ensure that nothing is up against the front bumper. This can make Actually Smart Summon unavailable when you’re parked too close to a wall, as the car doesn’t see what’s between the edge of the hood and the ground.
The front bumper camera is Tesla’s solution to this problem. The Cybertruck and the Refreshed Model Y are both equipped with a new camera in the front bumper, enabling them to see perfectly in this blind spot. At low speeds, the camera is extremely useful, providing excellent coverage of a zone of the vehicle that is generally difficult to see for drivers - and impossible for the primary camera cluster.
Update Release Date
This FSD update will be massive for Cybertruck owners as it’ll finally bring the latest FSD features and improvements to the electric truck.
From the very beginning, Tesla chose to use its own proprietary Linux-based operating system instead of relying heavily on CarPlay and Android Auto. This also meant that it had to develop its own mapping solution that would live at the center of its infotainment space.
These maps would need to seamlessly integrate with the vehicle to plan energy-efficient routes and dynamically adjust navigation based on the battery’s state of charge.
Tesla currently uses Google Maps for most of the underlying features of its Maps app for most of the world, with Baidu Maps data being leveraged in China. Some of the map data, such as street data and voice navigation, are preloaded and updated regularly. MapBox, another software provider that has been working on these projects for over a decade, supplies the routing engine.
Navigation Routing
In 2018, MapBox purchased the 'Valhalla' routing engine, which is now part of the core API MapBox provides to users and enterprise clients like Tesla. Valhalla includes features like expanded guidance with clear and concise instructions along the route, as well as turn restrictions, highway exit information, and time zones. Although Tesla relies on Google Map APIs to build out most of their navigation app, the routing is done on Tesla’s servers using Valhalla.
Some map features, such as live traffic visualization and satellite view, require a subscription to Tesla’s Premium Connectivity data plan to access; however, a vehicle with standard connectivity will still have access to traffic-based routing, the Trip Planner, and Supercharger stall availability.
Map Updates
Tesla releases new navigation maps about twice per year, but there is no hard rule. If the version of your maps is more than a year old, you may need to connect to WiFi to download the latest updates. Not having the latest map version could prevent certain features, such as FSD, from working. If you’re not able to connect to WiFi at home, you can try a Tesla Service Center, some Supercharger locations, or a local business that has WiFi access outside.
Keep in mind that map updates are several gigabytes in size and could take a considerable amount of time to download.
Map downloads are similar to software updates in that they are rolled out gradually and not everyone will have access to the latest version right away.
Unlike software updates, map updates are downloaded silently in the background when your vehicle is connected to WiFi, so you may not even be aware that your vehicle received newer navigation data.
What’s in a Map Update
Tesla uses a combination of streamed data and map data to display what you see on your navigation screen. The navigation data that is downloaded separately includes street-level data, speed limits, points of interest (business locations), and more.
While other data is actually streamed on request and you receive the latest version when you request it. This includes the navigation tiles or images, which are what you see visually on the navigation app. Routing is also computed on Tesla’s servers instead of in the vehicle if you have that option enabled under Controls > Navigation.
How to Check for a Map Update
On your car’s touchscreen, you can go to Controls > Software to see whether there is a map update available for your vehicle. Scroll down to Navigation Data, and your current map version will be listed underneath. It’ll look something like NA-2025.2-12345.
The navigation version consists of the region abbreviation, such as NA or EU, followed by the year and week number when the map data was created. The last five digits are the build number of the map data.
If your car is ready to download a map update but isn't connected to Wi-Fi, a download progress bar will appear, similar to a vehicle update. However, to download the most recent Tesla maps, your car must be connected to Wi-Fi.
