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Tesla Autopilot promo shows what it can do for your commute
Why let fans make the videos when you can do it yourself? Tesla Motors just made public a new video -- if it ever runs as a TV ad, it could be the company's first one -- promoting its Autopilot feature that does a lot of the driving on its own. Now, there have been some (mostly driver caused) hiccups in the rollout, other cars have some similar features and the ability to summon your car from NY to LA is still pending. But, the video does do a realistic job of showing what Autopilot is actually capable of: hit Summon, the car turns on and pulls out of the garage, leading to hassle-free driving on a closed-access highway with automated lane changes, with self parallel parking at the end. In the video it doesn't seem to show the driver actually letting go of the wheel, which is also probably a good call. Elon Musk says Autopilot is a "super high priority" and now Tesla is making sure people know about it.
Tesla hopes cars will drive themselves cross-country by 2018
Tesla only just introduced the ability to summon your car from its parking spot, but it already has much, much larger ambitions. Company chief Elon Musk is predicting that the Model S' just-introduced Summon feature will work anywhere within two years, or around 2018. As he puts it, you could ask your electric vehicle in New York City to meet you in Los Angeles -- so long as you could afford to wait a couple of days, you wouldn't have to budge. The company's snake-like automatic chargers would keep the EV running on these lengthy journeys.
Tesla's Model S now drives up to meet you
When Tesla first unveiled its semi-autonomous driving upgrades for the Model S, it made much ado over the ability to summon your car -- you wouldn't have to go into the garage (or walk across a large parking space) just to get moving. Well, that option is finally here. The newly available 7.1 update adds a Summon feature to the Autopilot that has the EV drive itself to meet you, or park in typical spaces. It'll even open and close your HomeLink-compatible garage door. You have to be within 39 feet of your target for this to work (it won't fetch your car from the back of the company parking lot), but you may never have to grapple with narrow parking spaces again.
Google hires the lead for Tesla's semi-autonomous driving tech
Apple and Tesla aren't the only two tech companies grabbing each other's staff to fulfill their automotive dreams -- Google has quietly hired Robert Rose, the lead for Tesla's semi-autonomous Autopilot program. It's not clear what he's working on besides software at Google Robotics, but it won't be surprising if he's working on self-driving cars. He's unlikely to be working for Boston Dynamics, whose staff are relatively independent from the Google mothership. One thing's for sure: Tesla will notice his absence. Rose was the lead engineer for some of SpaceX's earlier rocketry and reported directly to Elon Musk while at Tesla, so this clearly wasn't a trivial move.[Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Tesla will put more limits on Autopilot to discourage stunts
Tesla introduced Autopilot features to the Model S for the sake of convenience, but some drivers have been using it as a chance to goof off. They've invoked the semi-autonomous mode while speeding, or even while they're sitting in the back seat. Understandably, Tesla isn't happy with these stunts -- and it's getting ready to clamp down. The company's Elon Musk has revealed that Autopilot will get "additional constraints" so that owners can't abuse it. There's no mention of what those features will entail or when you'll see them, but it'd be reasonable to expect speed limits and occupancy checks.
Tesla's Autopilot approved for international use
At the launch of its latest Autopilot features, Tesla CEO Elon Musk noted that it would roll out the new vehicle capabilities to nations outside the United States once it got regulatory approval. Today Musk tweeted that the company has gotten approval from all those countries (except Japan). Now Tesla owners around the world can enjoy the slightly unnerving feeling of letting their Model S drive itself on the highway. Musk also announced that Autopilot 1.01 would be coming soon with improved fleet learning, better lane tracking on poor roads, curved speed adoption and controller smoothness.
DJI's adding autopilot features to Phantom 3 drones next week
DJI pleased Phantom owners recently when it announced that much-needed autopilot features would be coming to its most popular series of quadcopters, and the Inspire 1. Today, we learn when (September 7th) and how (via a good ole' firmware update). The new flight features include Waypoints (map out a path in advance, and the quad will follow it), Point of Interest (the quad flies around a set object with the camera remaining fixed on it) and Follow Me (you can guess what that does -- only coming to Phantom 3, not Inspire 1). There are also two features specific for the Phantom 3 Standard which make it easier to fly the quadcopter back to you should you lose your orientation -- these are already available on DJI's other craft. Finally, Phantom 3 Advance owners get a nice bonus, with the addition of a 2.7K (2704x1520) camera recording option -- a solid bump up from 1080p.
That decked-out first-run Tesla Model X will cost you $140K
Tesla revealed its pricing scheme for its upcoming Model X electric SUV on Tuesday when it sent out online configurators to prospective buyers. The limited edition first-run, dubbed the Signature Series, will reportedly retail for $132,000. For the base model. Granted, the Signatures will come with most every feature Tesla offers, like Autopilot. But if you want every option -- including Ludicrous mode as well as both the towing and cold weather packages -- get ready to shell out $143,750. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
Tesla starts testing its autopilot features with Model S drivers
As promised, Tesla's latest autopilot features are out in the wild. A handful of Model S drivers are now testing the electric car's upcoming semi-autonomous tech, including highway autosteer (which tackles lanes, passing and vehicle distance) and automatic parallel parking. Ideally, these vehicular pioneers will find the last remaining quirks in both the autopilot's behavior and its interface -- those edge cases that tend to creep up only in the real world.
Tesla's autopilot mode will get two awesome new features
Last fall, Tesla introduced an optional, semiautonomous "autopilot" mode on its Model S. Equipped with ultrasonic radar, the system can sense and avoid obstacles, other vehicles and even pedestrians. Hell, the thing even changes lanes for you with the flip of a turn signal. On Friday, Elon Musk revealed two new features that will do even more of the driving for you: highway autosteer and parallel autopark.
Baidu will test a self-driving BMW later this year
We've known for a while that Baidu wants its first self-driving car on the road by the end of this year, and now we know who's making that happen. The Guardian reports that the Chinese company is partnering up with BMW, which will provide the testbed for the duo's autonomous car project. The prototype will be used to ensure that the search engine's automotive know-how is safe enough for the public although, like Google's tests, a human will also be along for the ride.
Tesla thinks turn signals will solve liability in semi-autonomous cars
In vehicles with self-driving features, who takes the blame for a crash? Tesla may have an answer. The Wall Street Journal understands that the turn signal activation of the Model S' car-passing autopilot is largely about liability. When you flick the signal stalk, you're conveying your intent -- if the vehicle smacks into someone else as a consequence, you're likely at fault. This is unfortunate if it leaves you on the hook for an accident that was out of your hands, but it could also save you from requiring special registration to get your semi-autonomous machine on the road.
Tesla's Powerwall is already sold out through middle of 2016
On Tesla's quarterly earnings call, CEO Elon Musk announced "crazy off the hook" demand for its just-announced Powerwall battery product. He said over 38,000 reservations have been received, which should take up the expected production through mid-2016, and demand is high enough to account for all of the Gigafactory's production if they devoted it just to stationary batteries. That includes some 2,500 companies that are interested in the commercial-ready Powerpack (with orders averaging around 10 units each), and Musk said he estimates that commercial interest in Tesla Energy will account for 5-10 more megawatt hours than residential. To clear up one question about the Powerwall, he mentioned that while it doesn't have a DC-to-AC inverter included, it does have a DC-to-DC unit built in. Update: It wasn't mentioned on the call, but Tesla also confirmed its first acquisition today, snatching up Michigan-based part manufacturer Riviera Tool.
Tesla's Model S is getting a self-driving 'autopilot' mode in three months
The self-driving future is almost here -- if you've got one of Tesla's Model S cars. Tesla CEO Elon Musk just announced that it'll be bringing its new automatic steering mode, simply dubbed "autopilot," to the Model S lineup in three to four months via a software update. Musk says you'll basically be able to "go between San Francisco and Seattle without the driver doing anything." He's also careful to point out this isn't true self-driving, just very powerful automatic steering (it was announced alongside the dual-motor Model S in October). The downside? It's only available on highways, and it requires one of Tesla's $4,250 "optional tech" package. Musk notes that the company's current technology likely won't be safe in suburban neighborhoods, which often have random obstacles like kids playing in the street. Eventually, you'll be able to have your Model S park itself or drive up to you in a parking lot -- just don't expect to do that on public roads.
An iPad app can land your plane if the engine quits
If the engine quits in a small plane, it's not the end of the world -- just glide to the nearest airport and make a dead-stick landing. Simple, right? Sure, if the pilot makes perfect, lightning-quick decisions. Since we're only human, there's now an iPad app called Xavion that can connect with a small-plane's autopilot, find the nearest airport and, if possible, fly you to the runway's threshold by itself. It'll even tell you if you can't make it, so that you can find a nearby farmer's field instead. According to Popular Science, the autopilot update will arrive in a few weeks for the app, which currently offers manual pilot assistance in an emergency (see the video below).
Tesla CEO promises a self-driving model for next year
Last night, Elon Musk told the world that Tesla was ready to reveal its "D" on October 9th, as well as preparing us for "something else" to expect along the way. But the CEO isn't done teasing just yet. In a recent interview with CNN Money, Musk let it be known that a Tesla car next year "will probably be 90 percent capable of autopilot," though he didn't dive into any specifics about which model(s) this comment was in reference to. "So 90 percent of your miles could be on auto. For sure highway travel," the Tesla boss added. Such a thing would be possible, Musk said, by combining different sensors with image-recognition cameras, radars and long-rage ultrasonics -- which, without a doubt, paints a bright picture for future vehicles from the company. "Other car companies will follow ... Tesla is a Silicon Valley company. I mean, if we're not the leader, then shame on us."
Watch a tiny robot fly an aircraft nearly as well as a real pilot
Autonomous aircraft are likely to be the future of air travel, but we're not quite there yet; even with autopilot systems in place, most airplanes are designed with human pilots in mind. South Korean researchers may have a clever robotic stopgap, however. Their tiny PIBOT automaton uses a mixture of flight data and visuals to fly using real controls. It still needs intervention shortly before touchdown, but it can otherwise take to the skies as well as many organic air crews -- it may even be a bit better in a few areas, since it uses its camera to align neatly with the runway on takeoff and landing.
Volvo's self-driving cars tackle merging, braking traffic in first road tests
Volvo has now joined Google and others by testing autonomous cars on public roads, in its hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden, no less. This is the first phase of its "Drive Me" project, and will be limited to semi-autonomous vehicles on 50km (30 miles) of set commuter routes. The vehicles have progressed to where they can now adapt their speeds, follow traffic and deal with merging vehicles, according to Volvo. That means drivers still need to give their undivided attention, but eventually, the automaker intends to have 100 fully autonomous vehicles on the road operating in an "Autopilot" mode. Volvo hopes to avoid the kind of collisions that its cars are famous for surviving by eliminating the main cause -- us.
DARPA envisions a smarter, safer autopilot
Autonomous aircraft serve their purpose, but there's no question that pilotless passenger flights are a long way off, if they ever become a reality. Still, there's obviously room for improvement when it comes to on-board systems that assist pilots in their duties. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is in the process of creating an advanced autopilot system called ALIAS (yes, another acronym). The Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (there you go) would control military aircraft in all stages of flight, from takeoff to landing -- even during a system failure. Pilots would interact with the system using a touchscreen and voice control, supervising a flight instead of commanding it. Of course, we'll see this technology make its way to military planes long before it's adopted by airlines, but ALIAS could play a key role in keeping us all safe at 30,000 feet.
Tesla's 'autopilot' car project targets 90 percent of miles driven, three years from now
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has discussed the company's ambitions to build a self-driving car on more than one occasion, and now he's revealed a bit more about its plans. After reports today about a job listing for an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Controls Engineer, he spoke to the Financial Times and confirmed the company is working on a form of autopilot in-house. Expressing his opinion that fully autonomous cars may be a bit too difficult to achieve right now, he said Tesla "should be able to do 90 per cent of miles driven within three years." Other major car companies -- Mercedes, GM, Volvo and Continental, just to name a few -- have projects for either full or partial car self-control, but they're still under development for reasons both technical and legal. Also hanging in the balance is Google's autonomous car project, although from Musk's statements it appears Tesla has decided to go its own way on the technology. The three year target is an ambitious one, but we'll put this one somewhere between Iron Man and Hyperloop on the Musk scale. Update: Musk has taken to Twitter, describing Tesla's "intense effort" to create a practical autopilot system for the Model S and reaching out for engineers interested in the project. The CEO says Tesla's setup uses "360 degree flush mounted cameras + radar" with software and hardware level image processing to put all the information together.
