The Holiday Update will also include improvements to Alternate Routes
Not a Tesla App
Tesla's Holiday Update may have more stocking stuffers than initially reported. A new feature has just been found as part of the 2023.44.25.1 holiday update -- Alternate Routes While Driving.
The new feature will dynamically offer alternate route suggestions while driving, which builds on last year's introduction of alternate routes.
Tesla drivers will now be able to look at alternate routes when encountering traffic or construction. Instead of just having three routes to pick from at the start of the trip, the driver can now view alternate routes at any point in time.
How Does It Work?
Accessing this feature is straightforward. While driving, you can tap the map mode button (route icon) at the top right of the display or tap on the next turn indicator at the top of your turn-by-turn directions. This action will switch the map to an overview and request alternate routes from Tesla based on your current location.
The alternate routes are expected to then be displayed on the map in a similar way that they are displayed at the start of a trip. You can tap on a different route, or continue your existing one.
Limitations
This is a great improvement and should help in situations where the navigation system may not be providing the best route. However, it's important to note that alternate routes won't always be displayed on screen as they are with Google Maps. Google Maps will continuously offer alternate routes as you drive, labeling them as ‘1 minute faster,’ or ‘5 minutes slower,’ so that the driver is always aware of how much faster or slower a different route can take.
In Tesla’s implementation, the driver will need to request alternate routes by switching to the map overview.
Tesla has also been focusing on safety enhancements. Notably, haptic feedback has been recently introduced to forward collision warnings in China. In addition to a vehicle turning red on the screen and an audible noise, haptic feedback will now be provided via the steering wheel.
It’s unclear whether Tesla will roll out this enhancement to other regions, but as NHTSA pressures Tesla to offer more driver feedback and clearer instructions, we may see Tesla add more of these types of features.
Supported Regions
Alternate Routes While Driving will likely be limited to specific regions. However, if you currently have access to alternate routes, there’s a good chance that you’ll receive this enhancement as well.
Tesla said the Holiday Update would start shipping this week, although, with the NHTSA-related changes, it’s possible the release could be pushed back a few days or even a week. Either way, it shouldn’t be long before we know more about Alternate Routes While Driving and the other features in the holiday update, such as High Fidelity Park Assist.
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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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