Tesla's autopilot upgrade rolled out earlier this week and CEO Elon Musk said it should continue improving as more drivers use it. But the technology isn't an excuse to take a nap while driving.
Much of the hardware needed for autopilot was installed on Model S sedans last year, according to the EV maker. The version 7.0 update "allows those tools to deliver a range of new active safety and convenience features, designed to work in conjunction with the automated driving capabilities already offered in Model S."
Tesla went on to say that the system will continue to improve as it "[offers] realtime data feedback from the Tesla fleet."
Electrek said this is the main feature that distinguishes the Tesla autopilot upgrade. Reportedly, Musk called each Model S owner an "expert trainer" who will supply the data by simply driving with autopilot mode on.
All in all, owners may contribute as much as one million miles of new data each day.
But Tech Insider was quick to point out that the Hawthorne, Calif.-based EV maker's cars aren't the only ones capable of the feat.
Reportedly, Audi and Google use a similar algorithm for their own self-driving systems. The website said data is also collected from driverless cars "learning information both about the road but also how drivers behave in certain situations."
Even Mercedes is said to be working on a similar technology.
Still, TI said this shouldn't detract from Tesla's autopilot upgrade "especially since it's delivered this feature in a simple software upgrade."
In any case, Musk warned that the autopilot upgrade doesn't clear drivers from liabilities should there be an accident.
"That will come at some point in the future," he told the BBC.
Currently, the Tesla autopilot upgrade allows the Model S sedan and Model X SUV to "automatically steer down the highway, change lanes and adjust speed in response to traffic."
