In a recent announcement on Twitter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that the upcoming Full Self-Driving (FSD) Version 12 will no longer carry the beta status, indicating a significant milestone for the company’s autonomous driving software.
The statement came as a response to a comment made by the Tesla-centric account While Mars Catalog, which speculated that FSD Beta 12 might be released later this year. Musk succinctly replied, “Version 12 won’t be beta.” This development signifies more than just the removal of a single word—it represents a notable shift in Tesla’s approach to its autonomous driving technology.
Version 12 won’t be beta
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 27, 2023
Although Tesla still refers to its Autopilot feature as a beta product, it has garnered a favorable reputation for its performance thus far. However, the decision to drop the beta label could potentially expose Tesla to increased litigation concerning its autonomous driving capabilities. Nevertheless, this move suggests that Tesla is highly confident in the capabilities of its software.
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This is not the first time Musk has alluded to the imminent departure of Full Self-Driving from the beta phase. In May of this year, he mentioned how version 11.4.1 boasted significant architectural improvements, suggesting it could have been labeled as v12. Musk stated that v12 would be reserved for the point when “FSD is fully AI from video in to control out.”
While the exact timeline for the release of FSD Version 12 remains unclear as Musk has not provided a definitive response, the anticipation surrounding its arrival continues to grow. Some speculate that it could be launched this year, while others suggest it may not arrive until 2024 or even later.
Various responses to Musk’s announcement have underscored the remarkable progress made by Full Self-Driving since its introduction in 2020. Considering these responses, there is little doubt that the system has undergone significant improvements, bolstering Tesla’s confidence in its autonomous driving technology.
As Tesla prepares to graduate Full Self-Driving Version 12 from the beta stage, industry observers eagerly await further updates from Elon Musk regarding the timeline for its release. Regardless of when it arrives, Tesla’s latest move signifies a major step forward in the development of autonomous driving technology.
