TESLA'S NEW SOFTWARE UPDATE IDENTIFIES TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS ON AUTOPILOT

Tesla has rolled out a new software update that allows its vehicles to identify traffic lights and stop signs on autopilot. It’s one of many new features that the innovative automaker has been working on as of late, like “reverse summon” (auto park) function that Elon Musk announced just last week.

The new update is aptly called “Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control.” According to Tesla, the technology is “designed to recognize and respond to traffic lights and stop signs, slowing your car to a stop when using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control or Autosteer.” It’s meant to make your vehicle decelerate for all traffic lights, including green and yellow, signaling with a notification that it’s preparing to stop at an intersection.

One video on YouTube tests out this feature. Bryan, hosting the video, emphasizes that the update is still in its beta stages and that anyone using it should pay extra attention, keeping all hands close to the wheel and foot close to the brake. While the video demonstrates the autopilot’s self-stopping capabilities, there were some moments where autopilot didn’t work smoothly, like when the vehicle moved into a turning lane on its own. The video also shows how autopilot waits for confirmation from the driver to proceed through the intersection as a precautionary measure: the driver needs to step on the acceleration to continue forward. Byran indicates that the new update is a great step for Tesla for “full” autopilot but still needs some work.