Tesla has begun the rollout of its latest Full Self-Driving Beta v12 software update, a highly anticipated release described by CEO Elon Musk as a “big release.” Despite the excitement, the update is not yet going wide, and there are no new release notes available.
The Full Self-Driving (FSD) program has been plagued by delays, leading to a mix of anticipation and skepticism among Tesla enthusiasts. While some argue that Tesla is tackling a complex problem and should be given leeway, others point out that the company has been selling FSD since 2016, creating self-imposed pressure to deliver on its promises.
This is a big release. Should arguably be called v13.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 12, 2024
Elon Musk has indicated that the FSD Beta v12 update will be a crucial step in fulfilling Tesla’s commitment to autonomous driving technology. One of the key features of the v12 update is the introduction of “end-to-end neural nets,” a significant departure from previous FSD updates. This means that the vehicle’s controls are now handled by neural networks instead of being manually coded by programmers, a change expected to significantly enhance the system’s capabilities.
Originally slated for release last year, the v12 update faced delays before Tesla began rolling it out in January, albeit to a limited number of customers. The company has since released several .x versions of the software to employees and a small group of customers.
The latest iteration, FSD Beta v12.3, is now being pushed to select owners. Despite the lack of new release notes, Musk has characterized it as a “big release.”
While early tests of FSD Beta v12 have shown promising improvements in driving behavior, there is still no clear timeline for a wide release or a path to achieving the promised level 4-5 autonomous driving capability. Tesla continues to refine its autonomous driving software, balancing innovation with the need for thorough testing and regulatory approval.
I had to go through 7 webpages before finding something that wasn’t written by a fan-boy. You have to admit, Musk is good at fooling people and covering up the truth.