Tesla Introduces Premature Access to Enhanced Autopilot (Guided) Initiative
Tesla Expands Full Self-Driving Early Access Program to Hardware 4 Vehicles
Tesla has expanded its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Early Access Program to include Hardware 4 (HW4) vehicles, allowing eligible owners to test new FSD builds before they are rolled out more broadly.
A banner in the Tesla app is now appearing for some owners, offering the option to "Enroll in FSD (Supervised) Early Access Program." Once enrolled, a message confirms that the request is submitted, and processing may take up to 10 minutes. Screenshots shared by @SawyerMerritt indicate the expansion.
The FSD (Supervised) Early Access Program operates under Level 2 automation, which mandates continuous driver supervision. This means that while the system can handle driving tasks like accelerating, braking, and steering without driver intervention, the driver must remain attentive and ready to take control at all times. The system primarily monitors driver attention through an internal cabin-facing camera tracking eye movement.
The program uses Tesla's latest HW4 computer, which supports advanced neural network processing, enabling more sophisticated driving capabilities than prior hardware versions. Tesla's FSD software relies on end-to-end neural networks trained on the behavior of millions of Tesla drivers globally, rather than rule-based programming or expensive sensors like lidar.
The system continuously improves via regular software updates informed by collective fleet data, enhancing capability and edge case handling over time. It also includes a driver attention monitoring system to ensure that the driver’s eyes are on or near the road, providing a safety mechanism to detect inattentiveness and potentially alert the driver.
Performance may vary depending on location, road types, weather conditions, and complex scenarios; the system may still require human input in difficult or unusual situations. Tesla now explicitly markets FSD as “Full Self-Driving (Supervised),” emphasizing continued driver supervision to align with current technology capabilities and legal considerations, without promising full hands-off autonomy.
This Early Access Program offers advanced but supervised self-driving capabilities on HW4 vehicles, representing a significant step towards Tesla’s long-term goal of full autonomy but still requiring engaged human oversight. Participants in the program are expected to share feedback about the FSD system, and Tesla will collect detailed vehicle data from participants, including GPS, camera footage, and VIN-linked information.
Tesla plans to roll out FSD (Unsupervised) in more US cities by the end of the year, with the option already available in June for its Robotaxi network in Austin. This expansion of the FSD Early Access Program is a broader push to gather real-world feedback on Tesla's ongoing FSD development. However, Hardware 3 owners are not yet included in the FSD Early Access Program rollout.
- Tesla's expansion of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Early Access Program to Hardware 4 (HW4) vehicles marks a significant move in the finance and technology sectors, as it delves deeper into the automotive industry and transportation, offering advanced but supervised self-driving capabilities.
- The various industries of finance, technology, automotive, and transportation intersect as Tesla collects detailed vehicle data from participants within the FSD Early Access Program, aiming to enhance the development and capabilities of its self-driving cars, ultimately contributing to the pursuit of full autonomy.
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