Tesla announces a cheaper Autopilot package and free upgrade for the on-board computer
Tesla vehicles have always had more in common with some computers than with cars in terms of technology. Thus, it is not surprising that the manufacturer of electric cars has a flexible business model, being able to modify the functions of the machines through software updates or simple hardware upgrades of electronic components. The company is now offering a new, cheaper Autopilot package, while customers who have the older, more expensive package will receive a free upgrade for their on-board computer.
At half price, customers will receive most Autopilot functions
The new Autopilot package is called Enhanced Autopilot and is rather the old package, which was sold on cars a few years ago, but at a lower price. The only downside is that this package does not receive other new features in the future, nor does it receive a hardware upgrade for the on-board computer. This is because all the functions included in Enhanced Autopilot can work without problems on older hardware as well.
The new Enhanced Autopilot now includes features such as Navigate on Autopilot, for autonomous driving on certain sections of road, such as highways, Auto Lane Change, which allows the car to change lanes, Autopark, which allows automatic parking, and Summon, which calls the car from the parking lot. where you are. Features such as Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, which were previously part of the Autopilot package, are now offered on all cars at no additional cost.
Tesla owners who have the “Full” package also receive an upgrade for the on-board computer
However, the top Autopilot package, sold as Full Self-Driving Capability, includes a few extra things, in addition to the promise of being improved over time with new features. For example, it also offers the possibility to navigate based on traffic lights and traffic signs and will soon receive the Autosteer function on city streets.
In order to be able to use the new features in the Full package, Tesla customers who paid for it will receive a new, updated on-board computer, which is already found on the latest versions of the cars. The upgrade is free, and a Tesla technician will come to the customer’s home for installation. The process can take between one and five hours.
This new Autopilot package is in line with the previous statements of Elon Musk, who said that he will explore more options to offer Autopilot functions to customers at more price thresholds. At that time, there was also talk of a monthly subscription, which had not yet been launched.