Tesla has begun rolling out high-level assisted driving features in China, stopping short of branding them as Full Self-Driving (FSD).
The U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker started pushing software update version 2024.45.32.12 on Sunday, introducing enhanced Autopilot navigation capabilities on city streets, according to Tesla’s update log. The update improves Navigate on Autopilot (NOA), enabling vehicles to handle ramps and intersections based on navigation routes and to recognize traffic signals for maneuvers, including straight driving, left and right turns, and U-turns.
See also: Tesla Prepares to Roll Out FSD Features for Chinese Customers
“When the navigation route is not set, the vehicle will choose the optimal road to drive on based on actual road conditions,” Tesla stated in the update log. The update also introduces an attention monitoring system using an in-cabin camera to ensure driver alertness, reinforcing Tesla’s stance that assisted driving features still require human oversight.
Tesla did not explicitly mention FSD in the update log, but local media cited company representatives as saying the software is only available for vehicles equipped with Hardware 4.0 and that have purchased the FSD package. “The latest software update differs from the FSD feature in the U.S. in that the vehicles cannot be fully self-driving,” The Beijing News quoted Tesla’s customer service as saying.
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The update follows reports from Bloomberg and Reuters that Tesla was preparing a software release offering functionality similar to FSD in the U.S., though adapted for Chinese driving conditions. A source told Reuters that the update is a scaled-down version of FSD due to limited data training on Chinese roads and regulatory constraints.
Tesla currently offers Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) and a full FSD package in China, with the latter priced at RMB 64,000 ($8,820). However, the full range of FSD capabilities remains unavailable in the country. Tesla has indicated it will continue refining its assisted driving technologies in China through further technical testing and updates.