Tesla releases software update with cabin overheat protection

As if to simply tease the 99.9% of non-Tesla car owners, Tesla has today released an over-the-air (OTA) update of its in-car software with user interface enhancements and new safety features.

The update rolls out to Model S owners in Australia in the coming weeks as part of a global roll-out which happens when the car is connected to its home WiFi network.

These OTA updates are Tesla’s most obvious middle finger to the entire automotive industry which for the most part simply refuses to provide enhancements to owners via self-installed software updates, instead relying on dealerships to install any updates if and when the owners takes the car to a dealer.

Featured in the update are strong enhancements to Autopilot which uses the radar systems in greater detail to detect surroundings, in an effort to enhance the safety of the Autopilot system.

As part of that update auto-steering is disabled when safety warnings on the dash are ignored – the performance of Autopilot in stop-and-go traffic is enhanced and the visual prompts in the dash have been improved.

Perhaps the most obvious change in 8.0 is the user interface – in particular the mapping.

A new, clearer uncluttered map looks to be moving to the clean look of modern smartphones.

The biggest safety improvement outside of Autopilot is “Cabin Overhead Protection” which will keep the car at a safe temperature for hours even when the car is off – with pets and kids in mind. Though I’d like to think a parent wouldn’t even consider taking advantage of this one.

Here are the release notes from Tesla:

General

Touchscreen redesigned around providing a large, uncluttered map
Status bar and app icons will fade when car is driving, reappearing at a tap or when parked

Media Player

Updated “Now Playing” view and controls
Favorites across all media types
Play recent media
Remove media from recent list with press and hold
Improved media search and navigation
Improved TuneIn support and navigation
Updated radio design and navigation

Maps & Navigation

Swipe to navigate to home or office
Controls now hide and show as required
Improved location listing
Map automatic zooming
Option to avoid tolls and ferries
Clearer turn instructions
More visible round trip energy estimate
Choice of time savings before traffic based re-routing

Voice Commands

Voice commands are easier to use
More accurate contact matching
Initiate voice commands with a single press of the steering wheel button
Voice command transcript
Voice command tips
Improved voice command response time
French and German support

Autopilot

Enhanced safety requirement which disables Autosteer during trip when safety warnings are ignored
Redesigned Autopilot indicators
Autopilot has been tuned to be more responsive and smoother in stop-and-go traffic
Vehicles on the instrument panel show direction

Additional Improvements

Consistent airflow from fans throughout the car
Smart climate control based on solar heating and position of the sun
Passenger control of the touchscreen now lasts 30 minutes after the driver has left the car
Intelligent HomeLink notifications
Improved regenerative braking on all-wheel drive cars
Improved Auto Front Door functionality  (Model X only)
Falcon Wing doors open and close more quickly (Model X only)

Trevor Long( Editor )

Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.

He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.

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