First Videos of Tesla FSD Beta v11.3 [video]

By Kevin Armstrong
The visualizations in FSD Beta v11.3
The visualizations in FSD Beta v11.3
@winnersechelon

Like thousands of other Twitter users, we spent a lot of last night cruising around with @winnersechelon, who also goes by Tesla Bull. The Twitter user shared five videos of Tesla's latest FSD Beta version 11.3. It gave viewers our firsthand look at the highly anticipated software that Elon Musk has been promising for months, and it appears to be worth the wait. Tesla Bull tweeted:

"FSD beta 11.3 UNIFIED STACK!! Let's go!!! Great work team Tesla."

Striking Visual Changes

The videos show some undeniable changes from the previous FSD versions. The blue line showing the car's path is noticeably thicker, taking up the width of the vehicle. Also, the red lines are gone, replaced with light grey lines similar to those we see with standard Autopilot. New visualization appears at intersections and around crosswalks, according to Tesla Bull.

Smooth Drive

Then there is the drive. While this is difficult to judge, Tesla Bull tweeted:

Noticeably smoother in certain areas where timid previously. Still, a long way to go and many more miles to test.

Sharing real unfiltered progress is exciting. There was one driver intervention that caused another new addition to FSD. A message appears stating: Autopilot Disengaged. What Happened? Press voice button to send Tesla an anonymous message describing your experience.

We got from city streets to the highway, and Tesla Bull reported that he did make several manual speed changes. Still, it's unclear if the changes were necessary, as he also stated that one of the speed adjustments was to catch another Tesla. The software is put through all the paces as it also exits the highway effortlessly and returns to city streets. The car takes the on and off ramps much more naturally, and cornering and acceleration appear confident.

It was a big test to see the Tesla go from city streets to highways and vice versa. That is a significant change with this update that combines city streets and highways into a single stack, meaning the same Neural Nets are being used in all situations, as promised by the Autopilot team on A.I. Day 2022.

Intersection View

Something is Missing, Something Stays the Same

Tesla Bull claims that "auto park" is active again. He later provides a video showing Auto Park in action. It's important to note that he has a 2020 Tesla that has ultrasonic sensors, so this is not the new Auto Park for vehicles without the sensors. Actual Smart Summon (ASS) also does not appear to be in this release. That said, it has been on the radar for several months. Unfortunately, the nag continues to nag. While Musk had hoped to remove the reminder to apply resistant to the wheel, transportation officials in both the United States and Canada raised concerns.

Auto Park Video

FSD v11.3 is nearing public release. Musk said that version 11.3.2. would "likely" be the one that goes to the thousands of FSD owners in North America. That means the version Tesla Bull took for a ride stills requires work before the Tesla team can send it out wide. Tesla Bull agrees, he tweeted: Smooth indeed. Will share more videos with full transparency. Could be three steps forward and two back but this will be solved. You're doing it Tesla. You're leading and it matters!

FSD Beta 11.3 in Action

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

By Karan Singh
@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

  • Manhasset, New York

  • West Covina, California

  • Los Angeles, California

  • Houston, Texas

  • Orlando, Florida

  • Westmont, Illinois

  • Tucson, Arizona

  • Phoenix, Arizona

  • Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.

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