Cars made by Tesla can now read speed limit signs and detect green lights in the US, after a new software update.
The vehicles’ Autopilot system makes a speed limit warning on the dashboard display and sends a notification if the car is sitting still at a green traffic light.
The features were unveiled in the latest update of Tesla’s “full self-driving” version of Autopilot. Tesla cars can already reduce speed at red lights and stop signs.
In July 2019, Tesla’s website advertised the “full potential for autonomous driving” including automatic driving on motorways – although it has always maintained that its Autopilot is not designed to be an alternative for a human driver.
Previous Tesla models have had speed-limit sign recognition, which was activated by Mobileye.
From 2013 to 2016, Mobileye provided Tesla with technology for the Autopilot feature used in its Model S and Model X vehicles. But in July 2016, the companies ended the relationship, citing the first reported Autopilot fatality as a factor.
Owners of cars built under the partnership had complained road signs were sometimes inaccurately interpreted. Vehicles would not register a speed limit sign at all or drive at excessive speeds, reported Tesla blog, Teslerati.
Tesla’s latest software update applies to Autopilot cars made after 2016, which are not fitted with Mobileye cameras.
