Tesla Rolls Out FSD Beta 11.4.2 to Employees [Update: Now Going Out to the Public]

Tesla FSD Beta 11.4.2 may soon see a wide release

DirtyTesla

Tesla has just released FSD Beta 11.4.2 to its employees with update version 2023.7.10. This update focuses on bug fixes as Tesla aims to release it to FSD owners.

FSD Beta 11.4.1 started going out to early testers, but the rollout was soon stopped. About 4% of FSD testers currently have access to that beta.

FSD Beta 11.4.2 was expected last week when Elon Musk announced it would start rolling out over the weekend, however, we're glad to see that it's now in employee hands.

What's New

In Musk's tweet last week, he revealed that this update will address small bugs around 'excess conservatism', focusing on improvements around narrow roads and lane changes.

However, since most Tesla owners with access to FSD Beta are still on version 11.3.6, this update will be a much bigger deal.

Not only will it contain the significant changes from FSD Beta 11.4, but also the many improvements Tesla added in FSD Beta 11.4.1, as well as non-FSD features that were introduced in updates 2023.2 and 2023.6.

Major FSD Improvements Included

The most recent FSD Beta, 11.4.1 included improvements in turning and overall smoothness of the vehicle by better determining the environment around the vehicle.

It also made improvements in assertiveness when encountering nearby pedestrians or vehicles in its path, which can lead to sudden braking or jerkiness. The vehicle will now measure the probability of interacting with the vehicle or pedestrian instead of coming to a sudden halt.

Other refinements include several improvements to lane changes and when to take them, as well as a better understanding of bus lanes and when to use them.

Improved Speed Control

One of the biggest improvements in this beta involves speed control. When in Autopilot, the vehicle will typically use the speed limit of the road plus the percentage offset that you have set. However, as we know, the speed limit is only one factor that should be considered when determining your speed. Autopilot will now smartly adapt its speed based on weather conditions and the type of road it's on. For example, the vehicle will travel slower in parking lots, dirt roads, or in residential areas.

Release Date

When Tesla employees receive an FSD update, it indicates that we may see a public release, however, a lot of it is dependent on what issues are discovered.

Since FSD Beta 11.4.2 is a minor revision to the partially released beta 11.4.1, there is a much higher likelihood we could see this beta go into a wide release. Tesla last released FSD Beta 11.3.6 in the second week of April.

New Non-FSD Features

In addition to this update incorporating all the enhancements from FSD Beta versions 11.4 (release notes) and 11.4.1 (release notes), FSD Beta 11.4.2 also introduces several new non-FSD features that were previously available in updates 2023.2 and 2023.6.

These features include auto steering wheel heat (just in time for summer!), support for the Icelandic language, Tesla's Manual app, improvements to Apple Music, and changes to Sentry Mode lighting.

This FSD Beta update will be a major update for owners with access to FSD, not only bringing massive FSD improvements but also bringing them up to speed with some of the latest Tesla features.

Update: Musk has just tweeted that this release may be the one that goes to a wide release. Here's hoping! Keep your fingers crossed everyone, and keep checking that app for an update.

Update 2: This latest version of FSD Beta is now going out to public testers. Two large waves have already gone out yesterday and today. You can follow the roll out of FSD Beta 11.4.2 in our statistics page.

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Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

Not a Tesla App

For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series. 

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

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Tesla’s Optimus Robot Learns to Walk Without Vision [VIDEO]

Optimus Falls - but catches itself!

Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently showed off a demo of Optimus, its humanoid robot, walking around in moderately challenging terrain—not on a flat surface but on dirt and slopes. These things can be difficult for a humanoid robot, especially during the training cycle.

Daily walks help clear your mind pic.twitter.com/dUsW58trS6

— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) December 9, 2024

A Look Behind the Curtain

Most interestingly, Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for Optimus, clarified what it takes to get Optimus to this stage. Let’s break down what he said.

Optimus is Blind

Optimus is getting seriously good at walking now - it can keep its balance over uneven ground - even while walking blind. Tesla is currently using just the sensors, all powered by a neural net running on the embedded computer. 

Essentially, Tesla is building Optimus from the ground up, relying on as much additional data as possible while it trains vision. This is similar to how they train FSD on vehicles, using LiDAR rigs to validate the vision system’s accuracy. While Optimus doesn’t have LiDAR, it relies on all those other sensors on board, many of which will likely become simplified as vision takes over as the primary sensor.

Today, Optimus is walking blind, but it’s able to react almost instantly to changes in the terrain underneath it, even if it falls or slips. 

What’s Next?

Next up, Tesla AI will be adding vision to Optimus - helping complete the neural net. Remember, Optimus runs on the same overall AI stack as FSD - in fact, Optimus uses an FSD computer and an offshoot of the FSD stack for vision-based tasks.

Milan mentions they’re planning on adding vision to help the robot plan ahead and improve its walking gait. While the zombie shuffle is iconic and a little bit amusing, getting humanoid robots to walk like humans is actually difficult.

There’s plenty more, too - including better responsiveness to velocity and direction commands and learning to fall and stand back up. Falling while protecting yourself to minimize damage is something natural to humans - but not exactly natural to something like a robot. Training it to do so is essential in keeping the robot, the environment around it, and the people it is interacting with safe.

We’re excited to see what’s coming with Optimus next because it is already getting started in some fashion in Tesla’s factories.

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