In a series of posts on X, Elon Musk has updated the previous roadmap of the highly anticipated upcoming FSD update. Thanks to these new posts, we now know about some additional new real-world capabilities coming to FSD, including the long-awaited ability to avoid potholes, better parking lot navigation, and more human-like handling of difficult situations.
These new skills will be enabled by a massive new FSD model that is currently in the late stages of training and could see a public release as soon as the end of September. This new information builds upon everything we’ve already learned about this upcoming update, and there’s a lot to be excited for.
10x Parameters
The biggest piece here that enables everything else is a new FSD model that represents a significant architectural leap. According to Elon, Tesla is training a new 10x parameter model.
In addition to the parameter update, the Tesla AI team is also looking to make improvements to video by reducing data loss due to compression. That 10x increase in parameters, paired with more detailed visual information, means that FSD’s neural network will be able to understand far more nuanced information and react in more human-like ways.
Elon also confirmed that the next model for customers won’t be the 4x model we were initially anticipating in the spring, but instead the 10x model that has recently been discussed. Tesla is skipping this interim version - likely the one on today’s Robotaxis in Austin and the Bay Area - to an even more powerful build.
Tesla is training a new FSD model with ~10X params and a big improvement to video compression loss.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2025
Probably ready for public release end of next month if testing goes well.
More Capabilities, More Features
Following a speculation of features posted on X, Elon confirmed that the team is working to add other capabilities as well. Elon says the focus is on safety, but these other issues below will also be addressed. He goes on to say that if they’re not in this next FSD build, then they will come shortly thereafter.
The expected set of additional capabilities includes:
Seeing and avoiding potholes
Significantly better parking lot navigation
Better finding of parking spaces and self-parking
Improved understanding of pickup and drop-off zones
Improved lane selection and path planning
Improved edge-case handling, such as first responders or construction workers directing traffic
Better handling of high-density situations, like crowds of pedestrians or busy airport terminal zones
Smoother and more confident driving
Minimizing probability of injury is the goal, but we will address these other factors too. If not entirely in this build, then shortly thereafter.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2025
Pothole Avoidance Makes a Return
Back in 2020, Elon mentioned that Tesla was labelling bumps and potholes detected by FSD (or the vehicle suspension), but we never really received the ability to steer around or slow down for potholes. We did eventually receive better detection and handling of speed bumps, which are far easier to detect against the flat surface of the road.
Yes! We’re labeling bumps & potholes, so the car can slow down or steer around them when safe to do so.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 14, 2020
Now, almost exactly five years later, we’re finally starting to see this feature take shape, which is really exciting that FSD is getting to this level of understanding. Handling potholes and bumps in the road makes a massive difference for both passenger safety and comfort, as well as protecting your tires and wheels. If Tesla succeeds with this, it will make the ride far smoother than it already is.
Release Timelines
While Elon mentioned a public release near the end of September, there’s always more to it than that. We were previously told during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call to expect the July to September timeframe - and this pretty much checks out.
The team is on track for a late September release, but that’s likely when it will go out to employees and potentially some early access testers. Once both of those groups spend some time testing, the build will get greenlit, and then we’ll see it rolling out to other major Tesla influencers and testers for more widespread feedback.
Once Tesla receives and processes feedback from those groups, assuming everything is good to go, we’ll likely see a release arrive on consumers’ vehicles, probably sometime in October.
While this is still 6-8 weeks out, this is definitely getting exciting as customers will get to experience everything Tesla has been working on with the Robotaxi.
Update: Musk has now confirmed that this version will, in fact, be called FSD v14. He stated that it’s currently going through training and testing, and it will include reduced driver monitoring.
