Tesla delivers new Full Self-Driving update

Tesla has been facing challenges in recent quarters with declining sales and stiff competition. In an attempt to reverse the trend, Tesla's latest FSD 12.4.2 update, is now being rolled out to select beta testers.

While FSD is not yet fully autonomous (and may never be), the new update shows significant improvements in various areas. Beta testers report smoother decision-making, better curb detection, and improved handling of unexpected situations. The updated system demonstrates a greater awareness of its surroundings, slowing down for pedestrians, maintaining safe distances from curbs, and reacting appropriately to other vehicles.

FSD 12.4.2 also seems to excel in navigating complex scenarios like roundabouts, merging onto highways, and maneuvering around parked cars. One beta tester even remarked that the car "can finally see the same things that I can see."

The update is not without its shortcomings. Testers have reported issues with driving around potholes, over-reliance on friction braking, and hesitation at slow speeds. Additionally, the driver monitoring system has been criticized for its sensitivity, even mistaking squinting due to the sunlight for inattentiveness.

Despite these issues, FSD 12.4.2 represents a significant step forward for Tesla's autonomous driving technology. The company is betting big on artificial intelligence to solve autonomous driving and ultimately deploy robotaxis in the future. While that future may still be some way off, the latest FSD update demonstrates the company's continued commitment to advancing self-driving technology.

It is important to remember, however, that despite its name FSD is still a driver assistance system, not a fully autonomous driving feature. Drivers must remain fully engaged and ready to take over at all times. As Tesla continues to refine and improve FSD, it is crucial to keep its limitations in mind for the safety of all road users.

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