Tesla has rolled out a new beta version of its self-driving software that includes improved emergency vehicle detection, following an investigation into a series of crashes by the US-based National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
According to several Tesla blogs that regularly track news from the popular EV maker, Tesla released the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta 10.4 over the weekend.
Release notes for the new software version have been uploaded to Twitter by a number of Tesla enthusiasts and include the line “Improved emergency vehicle detection network by adding new data and improved training regime”.
Details and unfortunately no Tidal pic.twitter.com/viCYnw4YXH
— Tesla Raj (@tesla_raj) November 7, 2021
Additionally, the FSD Beta 10.4 also includes improved static obstacle control, improved vulnerable road users (VRU) detection, and improved static obstacle control.
Other improvements include better handling when driving off navigation route and improved handling, detection of high-speed objects when crossing high speed roads, and improved speed through narrow spaces surrounded by high obstacles.
Obviously, though, the headline-making news had to do with the improved detection of emergency vehicles, following as it did concerns raised by NHTSA in the aftermath of several crashes between Tesla vehicles under Autopilot and stationary emergency vehicles.
Specifically, according to the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), 11 identified crashes which resulted in 17 injuries and one fatality since the beginning of 2018 necessitated an investigation of Tesla’s Autopilot.
And it would appear that Tesla’s efforts to update its software has had immediate effect, according to one Twitter user who detailed a recent experience in which he encountered a stationary police vehicle while under Autopilot.
Just had a magical moment on #FSDBeta
So there was a cop pulled over with their lights on…
FSD understood that it was a traffic stop, went over the yellow line to give the cop room and carefully merged back into the lane (w/ turn signal) when it was safe to do so.
Bravo 👏
— Jeff 💙✌️ (@JeffTutorials) November 7, 2021
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.