Tesla Vows “Full” Self-Drive Upgrade in August

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk says the next software update of its controversial Autopilot system will give its electric cars “full self-driving features.”

The move comes after several incidents in which a Tesla car being operated in Autopilot mode crashed into a parked vehicle or barrier. Autopilot can automatically steer within a lane, brake and accelerate a vehicle under certain conditions.

But the technology requires constant attention by the driver. At highway speed, Tesla’s system cannot steer around an object that suddenly appears ahead. Consumer Reports notes that some Tesla crashes occurred after a car being followed by Autopilot moved into another lane.