Tesla Software V8.0 — Major Overhaul, Improvements To Autopilot, New Cabin Overheating Protection Feature, Modern Look, Etc.

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Telsa’s rollout of software version 8.0 began last night, bringing with it the most “significant over-the-air overhaul of the Tesla touchscreen and introduces the biggest UI revamp since the launch of Model S,” according to an email Tesla Motors sent to CleanTechnica and EV Obsession.

The update will introduce substantial changes to the way that the Autopilot feature functions (as we’ve covered previously), as well as introduce a new industry-first safety feature known as Cabin Overheat Protection that’s designed to prevent the possible deaths of children and pets that are left in the car (knowingly or unknowingly). The update also revamps the Navigation system, Maps, Media Player, etc.

Notably, V8.0 will be rolled out to all of the company’s Model S and Model X vehicles, not just recent “model years.”

Starting with Autopilot, the biggest update is the switchover to using the onboard radar as a primary sensor, allowing for the creation of a detailed “3D picture of the world” around the vehicle.

Vehicle displays now “show angled vehicles as they enter a curve and the Autosteer indicator has been updated to more clearly indicate when Autosteer is engaged.”

While there are apparently some 200 improvements to Autopilot coming with V8.0, here’s a quick overview of the major ones from the email:

• Autopilot has been tuned to be more responsive and smoother in stop-and-go traffic
• Enhanced safety requirement which disables Autosteer during trip when safety warnings are ignored
• Autosteer now navigates highway interchanges
• Redesigned Autopilot indicators
• Curve speed adaptation now uses fleet-learned roadway curvature
• Autopilot now controls for two cars ahead improving reaction time to otherwise-invisible heavy braking events
• Car offsets in lane when overtaking a slower vehicle driving close to its lane edge

Another major change coming with the update is the introduction of the aforementioned “Cabin Overheat Protection” (which we wrote about briefly following Elon’s tweets about it) — which will keep “the car at a safe temperature for hours, even when the car is off. This feature is only made possible by an electric vehicle with Tesla’s uniquely large battery packs.”

Here’s an overview of some of the other major changes (via Tesla):

Intuitive media player

The media player has been redesigned and personalized to put your favorite content front and center. Search is now simpler to access and more powerful, accessing streaming radio, live stations, podcasts, and any USB device to help you quickly find what they’re looking for.

Voice commands

Voice controls are now easier and clearer to use. Initiation is quick, and clear visual feedback lets you focus on the road without compromising convenience or control.

• Voice commands initiate with a single tap
• Feedback in the form of a transcript now appears on the instrument panel to confirm your command
• Visual tips remind you what commands are available

Maps and navigation

Maps have been updated to span the entire touchscreen, displaying the most important details of your trip. The control bar fades automatically for an uncluttered navigation experience.

• Search for destinations with a single touch or voice command
• Zoom adjusts based on location to display what you need to see most
• Navigate to home or work with a single swipe.
• When at home, swipe the navigation button down in the Maps app and navigation will automatically route you to work.
• When away from home, swipe down and navigation will route back.

Quite a bundle of changes. I’ll be very interested in hearing first-hand experiences with the new version of Autopilot.

Tesla also provided an interesting “history of Tesla over-the-air updates” in the email:

Better Over Time from Tesla Motors on Vimeo.