Tesla Adds Self-Driving Features

This week Tesla Motors Inc. is downloading its new Autopilot system into specially equipped versions of the company’s Model S electric sedan. The technology enables autonomous steering, braking and throttle control during highway driving—including lane changes—and automated parallel parking.

The system uses information from 12 onboard ultrasonic sensors, a forward-facing camera and long-distance radar that continuously monitor surrounding traffic and upcoming road conditions. These inputs are combined with a high-resolution mapping system to allow vehicles to stay in their lane, follow turns in the road and slow down as necessary.

Drivers initiate lane changes by tapping the turn signal, then Autopilot takes over and executes the maneuver when it’s safe to do so.

Drivers are encouraged to keep their hands on the steering wheel and will receive occasional prompts to do so to keep them engaged, Tesla says. Visual and audio cues alert drivers to take control when the autonomous mode isn’t available.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also cautions drivers to be “quite careful at first” when using the system. He notes that this is the first version of the technology and emphasizes that drivers still are ultimately responsible for their own safety. But Musk reiterates Tesla’s plans to have a fully autonomous car ready within three years.

The company has been developing Autopilot over the last two years and began road testing vehicles equipped with the technology about a year ago. Autopilot currently is available on about 60,000 Tesla Model S cars built since September 2014. It cost buyers of those vehicles $2,500 to have the enabling hardware installed. Buyers of the new Model X electric crossover vehicle, which is currently being rolled out, also can spec the Autopilot package.

Tesla says road data collected by vehicles equipped with Autopilot will be shared over a common network. This will allow new information to be immediately incorporated into GPS maps.

Tesla is downloading Autopilot into U.S. cars this week as part of its 7.0 software upgrade, which also includes a side-collision warning system. Availability also is planned for Europe and Asia.