Tesla will now dynamically resize vehicles in Autopilot visualizations
Felix Wepunkt
In Tesla update 2023.32.4, Tesla has improved Autopilot visualizations, bringing a host of enhancements that were once exclusive to Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta.
New Visualizations Introduced
In order for Tesla to achieve FSD, the vehicle will essentially need to create a 3D representation of the real world, similar to a video game. To create a more accurate representation of the real world, Tesla introduced dynamic vehicle resizing in March 2022 for FSD Beta. This visualization improvement is now making its way over to standard Autopilot. The vehicle will now determine the width, height and length of each vehicle in its surroundings and size the 3D model appropriately in the visualization. Initially, Tesla employed static 3D models to depict other vehicles, which, although informative, didn't match their real-world dimensions.
Whether the vehicle is distinguishing between a full-length bus and a shorter one or identifying the accurate size of small cars, the enhanced visualization lends a deeper insight into the car's situational awareness, thus bridging the gap between the real world and the on-screen depiction.
Although this could lead to some strange looking visualizations, such as a vehicle that is scaled way down to represent a baby stroller, or a truck that's 'squished' to represent its actual dimensions, these are limitations in Tesla's 3D models, as the actual size represenations are much more accurate.
Open Door Visualization
Unfortunately, Tesla hasn't added all the visualizations that are present in the FSD Beta feature in the US and Canada yet, but they did incorporate the ability to display when a vehile has an open door. The door will be displayed in the vehicle's standard gray color, unless Autopilot determines the door is in the vehicle's course, which it will then highlight it in orange.
While Tesla has achieved remarkable milestones, extending the vehice's visualizations will help build trust in the vehicle's capabilities, assuring users of a reliable and safe driving experience. In addition to bringing more visualizations over from FSD Beta, such as road edges, we will hopefully see more objects commonly encountered during driving. We are looking at the potential inclusion of additional traffic light configurations, diverse crosswalks, and even barriers and other road elements, painting a richer and fuller portrayal of the real world.
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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.
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.
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.
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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