Tesla wants to make it more difficult to ignore Autopilot warnings in next update

According to sources from the site Electrek, Tesla wants to make it more difficult to ignore warnings from the Autopilot function in a new software update. For example, the function can no longer be switched on after it has been switched off automatically.

The site, a sister release of 9to5Mac and 9to5Google, among others, writes that the function will remain disabled until the driver has stopped the vehicle and put it into parking mode. Disabling Autopilot would only affect the automatic steering. However, the ‘traffic aware cruise control’ system, with which the car reacts to other vehicles, would continue to work. The update would be version 8.0 of the Tesla software.

Tesla vehicles warn the driver if they take their hands off the wheel for too long through visual cues and sounds. If these are ignored for more than fifteen seconds, there is already a function at this point that then initiates a procedure whereby the car slows down and the music turns down. This should prompt the driver to grip the steering wheel. The new function is aimed at preventing accidents, reports Electrek. The increased safety would also ensure that drivers see fewer warnings overall.

With the update, the company would respond to several accidents involving its vehicles. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously said that the Autopilot feature will still officially be beta labeled until the system causes ten times fewer accidents than people behind the wheel.