Tesla CEO and co-founder Musk has announced plans to add several new features including movie streaming in its next update of Autopilot. Going to the drive-in could have a whole new meaning.
The release of V10 (version 10) of Autopilot will include YouTube and Netflix, as well as several other games and infotainment goodies, said Musk via social media platform Twitter overnight on Sunday (Australian time).
In addition to the ability to binge on your latest favourite series, the latest version of Autopilot will include improved self-driving features such as better highway handling, traffic light and stop sign recognition and “Smart Summon”.
Yes, V10 will include several games & infotainment features, improved highway Autopilot, better traffic light & stop sign recognition & Smart Summon
— e^???????? (@elonmusk) July 28, 2019
And it could be available as soon as the end of August, Musk says, although this will depend on how smoothly it rolls out the newest Autopilot to Tesla owners on the Early Access Program (EAP).
Depends on how release to owners with early access goes, but hopefully wide release by end of August
— e^???????? (@elonmusk) July 28, 2019
The YouTube and Netflix movie streaming feature (which it must be noted may require your own premium subscriptions depending on the platform of choice) are, according to Musk, “amazingly immersive” with a cinematic feel thanks to comfy seats and surround sound audio.
How cinematic the audio is, though, will depend on your Tesla. If you are buying a Model 3, while the SR+ gets “immersive audio”, only the Long Range and Performance versions come with the full premium audio shebang – 14 speakers, 1 subwoofer, and 2 amps.
In addition to the features mentioned above, Musk also said that the new software update would also include the ability for the car to read out messages from the driver’s phone, and that he is also hoping to add “Joe Mode” which would lower the volume of lane correction alerts.
Minecraft may even be on the cards, adding to recent Tesla Arcade updates including Teslatari and Beach Buggy Racing 2.
Smart Summon, by the way, is the name of the Enhanced Autopilot feature which Musk has promised will allow any Tesla with hardware V2 to navigate through a car park, find a parking space, figure out if it’s OK to park there and then drive back to you when called.
But back to in-car movie streaming. It should be noted that you’ll need to park your car (somewhere safe) to watch a movie.
However, once Full Self Driving is fully approved by regulators, Musk says Tesla will enable streaming while driving, meaning you can to tune out of the traffic and get your daily update of whatever instead.
When full self-driving is approved by regulators, we will enable video while moving
— e^???????? (@elonmusk) July 27, 2019
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.