Tesla Motors, Inc. TSLA has revealed several details about the upcoming software update for its Autopilot system. The over-the-air software update, which is expected to be available within two weeks, will enable the system to use radar as a primary control sensor.

Radar is already part of the Autopilot hardware suite of all Tesla cars made since Oct 2014 but is currently used as a supplementary sensor to the primary camera and image processing system. However, given that radar can see through most visual obstructions that a camera cannot detect, such as fog, dust, rain and snow, Tesla has decided to make it a primary control sensor. Radar can also detect obstacles that are two cars ahead, which will improve response time.

Initially, the radar system will focus on data collection and will only start mild braking once fleet learning has developed adequately. Braking force will increase as the confidence of the system increases. Tesla believes that fleet learning will eventually develop to such an extent that the Autopilot system will be able to accurately apply brakes even in zero visibility as well as when there is another car between the Tesla vehicle and the obstacle.

Apart from radar, another major change is that the car will turn off Autosteer if the driver repeatedly ignores warnings to keep hands on the steering wheel and will not allow it to be turned on till the car is parked. This step is intended to induce the driver to stay alert, given the recent accidents in some Tesla vehicles.

Further, Autopilot 8.0 will be able to automatically take a highway exit if the turn indicator is on, while Autopilot 8.1 will take it a step further by taking the exit when the navigation system is on. However, this feature will be only available in the U.S. initially.

These apart, there are many other changes like improved cut-in detection and auto lane change availability, lower chances of overtaking in right lane in Europe, etc. to make the Autopilot system more efficient.

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