FSD Beta 12.3.2 Rolls Out: Tesla's Vision-Based Autopark and More in Update 2024.3.5

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Tesla's FSD Beta 12.3.2 is making its way to cars in the U.S. along with an update to the 2024.3 branch, which includes all the features from update 2024.2, it also includes the new vision-based Autopark feature, which is available on vehicles without ultrasonic sensors for the first time.

Key Highlights of This Update:

• Includes the latest FSD Beta v12.3.2, which corrects several issues in v12.3.1, which is a huge improvement from the v11 releases

• It’s update 2024.3.5, which means that it includes all the features in update 2024.2, including the new Trips menu, Supercharging improvements, ultra-wideband support, and a helpful reminder to plug in at home

• Introducing an improved Autopark feature that leverages neural networks, this update aims to address the limitations of previous versions, offering a more intuitive and efficient parking solution that promises to outperform its predecessors significantly. It also brings the feature to vehicles without ultrasonic sensors for the first time

Exclusive to the US (For Now):

• The update is rolling out exclusively in the US initially, however, Canadians are now being updated to v12.3.1 with update 2023.44.30.30

• Eligibility extends to users on update 2024.2.x, ensuring a broader base of Tesla owners can buy or subscribe to FSD Beta. This is also expected to be the version that will offer a free month of FSD Beta to Tesla owners

Beyond the Update: FSD's Evolving Landscape:

Tesla is leveraging the awe of Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology by offering new and current eligible owners a one-month free trial of FSD following the positive feedback on version 12.3.1. Musk announced that the feature will be available this week, although it’s not clear whether that will include just new owners initially or everyone. This initiative aims to showcase the advanced capabilities of FSD and familiarize users with the convenience and safety of minimal driver intervention. Elon Musk, satisfied with the performance of FSD 12.3.1, announced this trial to encourage further the adoption of Tesla’s FSD feature in the U.S.

Furthermore, Tesla has introduced FSD demonstrations as part of the delivery process for new vehicles equipped with FSD, ensuring customers understand and experience the benefits firsthand. This approach highlights Tesla’s recent achievements and boosts customer confidence and acceptance of self-driving cars. Musk announced that all new vehicle deliveries must include a hands-on demo of FSD.

Musk stated that a new update to FSD will be available every two weeks, indicating how much data the Tesla team is getting from the millions of miles logged under the new system. The comment by Musk is faced with some skepticism as recent FSD Beta updates have been months apart. However, Tesla has reached major milestones recently with the public release of FSD Beta v12, the new, vision-based Autopark feature, and the expected upcoming release of Actually Smart Summon next month.

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

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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!

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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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