Another thunderclap at Tesla, this time concerning the potential return of radar on its electric cars. Here is what we know on the subject and what it could change for current and future customers of the American brand.
If you follow the news of the manufacturer Tesla, you are probably aware that the impasse has been made on the radar, and that the driving assistance system only uses cameras to operate, the famous Tesla Vision feature. Finally, this was the case until now. It could be that the radar marks its return as early as next month.
Tesla Vision is all about cameras
Tesla is not one mistake away from self-driving. Indeed, from 2016 some vehicles were sold with the famous “fully autonomous driving capability” option, even though they are still not capable of it six years later.
Of course, some components have since evolved, like the driving computer that handles the Autopilot, which is in its third iteration, and which is currently called “Hardware 3”. Until the beginning of 2022, Tesla used both radar and cameras for the proper functioning of driver assistance systems.
However, for many months now, Tesla has been pushing its famous “Tesla Vision”, even if it means deactivating the radar of old vehicles that were still equipped with it. The feedback is quite mixed on this new way of doing things, in particular because of the limitations induced by the exclusive use of cameras.
Among these limitations, there is in particular the range of the cameras, which is lower than that of the radar used previously, but also the maximum speed of use which has been revised downwards. Despite these limitations, Tesla has been offering self-driving in beta in North America since late 2020, which goes to prove that the camera suite is enough.
Is this the return of radar at Tesla?
New information, however, goes in the direction of a return of the radar on the vehicles of the firm of Elon Musk. Indeed, documents intended for the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) request a extension of the confidentiality clause concerning a high definition radar, which would be put on the market in January 2023.
According to speculation, the arrival of this high definition radar would allow Tesla’s Autopilot to be much more efficient in many circumstances : fog, snow, reduced visibility… Finally, this start of production in the first quarter of 2023 could also correspond to the arrival of “Hardware 4”, manufactured by Samsung.
The most optimistic even predict that the update of the restyled Tesla Model 3 will be unveiled at the same time, with a suite of new cameras, this famous high-definition radar, and a new generation driving computer. On the side of the most pessimistic, they point to the glaring absence of radar and ultrasonic sensors in current models, which would then lose enormous value on the market. Is this the reason for the accumulation of stocks of Tesla, which is struggling to sell its cars at the end of the year? The answer will undoubtedly arrive at the beginning of next year. Until then, speculation is rife.
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