Some
Tesla Motors vehicles can park themselves without a driver inside
with a software update beamed to customers over the weekend.
The
update also puts new speed limits on Tesla's semi-autonomous Autopilot
mode and makes several enhancements, including automatically slowing
when the car is approaching a curve and keeping the car in its lane even
when the lane markings are faded.
CEO Elon Musk said the parking
feature is a "baby step" toward his eventual goal: Letting drivers
summon their self-driving, self-charging cars from anywhere using their
phones.
"I actually think, and I might be slightly optimistic on
this, within two years you'll be able to summon your car from across the
country," Musk said on a conference call with reporters. "This is the
first little step in that direction."
For now, though, the system isn't truly autonomous.
"It's more like remote-control parking," Musk said.
Owners
must line up their Model S sedan or Model X SUV within 33 feet of the
space they want it to drive or back into. They must then stand within 10
feet and direct the car to park itself using the key fob or Tesla's
smartphone app. The car can also exit the spot when the driver summons
it. If it's going into a home garage, it can also open and close the
garage door.
Tesla says the system is helpful for tight parking
spots, but cautions that it should only be used on private property
since it can't detect every potential obstacle. The car could hit bikes
hanging from a garage ceiling, for example.
The software update
also puts new speed limits on Tesla's semi-autonomous mode. The car will
now only drive at or slightly above the speed limit when the Autopilot
mode is being used on residential roads and on roads without a center
divider. If the car enters such an area in Autopilot mode, it will
automatically slow down.
Musk said he's not aware of any accidents
caused when a Tesla was driving in Autopilot mode, but he thinks the
change won't be a problem for owners.
"On roads without a center
divider, where there's potential for a more serious collision, it makes
sense not to go more than five miles per hour above the speed limit," he
said.
The updates will go into about 60,000 vehicles, including Model S sedans made after September 2014 and the new Model X SUV.
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